Input/output Expansion Patents (Class 710/2)
  • Patent number: 8656071
    Abstract: A communication system includes a destination node containing a message buffer pointer input queue and a message queue memory. Moreover, the message queue memory includes message buffers. A source node of the communication system generates data packets and a message buffer pointer packet. A message network of the communication system routes the data packets and the message buffer pointer packet to the destination node. The destination node writes a data message in a message buffer of the message queue memory based on the data packets and enqueues the message buffer pointer into the message buffer pointer input queue. Further, the destination node dequeues the message buffer pointer from the message buffer pointer input queue and accesses the data message in the message buffer based on a message buffer pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: PMC-Sierra US, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Z. Onufryk, Ganesh T. Seshan
  • Patent number: 8656061
    Abstract: A data input/output device includes a buffer that accumulates data, and a data receiver that receives data input in synchronization with a first clock in accordance with a second clock whose generation source is different from a generation source of the first clock. The data input/output device further includes a data input part that accumulates data received by the data receiver in the buffer, and a data output part that sequentially outputs data accumulated in the buffer at an output interval depending on the amount of data accumulated in the buffer in such a manner that a predetermined data amount is the unit of the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Hidaka
  • Publication number: 20140047132
    Abstract: A stacking electronic system including a first master device, a second master device having a first connector, a second connector, and at least one slave device having a third connector is provided. The second and the third connectors have an error-proofing structure corresponding to each other, such that the first master device is structurally connected to the second master device to control the slave device directly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Kim Yeung Sip
  • Patent number: 8645584
    Abstract: Initiating USB-over-network connections based on partial USB enumeration, including the steps of: Discovering USB hosts by respective USB host adaptors (USBHs). Reading USB device descriptors of USB devices by respective USB device adaptors (USBDs) performing partial USB enumeration that stops prior to the configuration state of the USB devices. Forwarding the read USB device descriptors to the USBHs. And initiating, by the USBDs or the USBHs and based on the USB device descriptors, USB-over-network connections between the USB devices and the USB hosts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Valens Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Aviv Salamon, Eyran Lida
  • Patent number: 8639853
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system, method, and memory-medium provide for configuration of a programmable waveform that allows for communication with one of a plurality of different target devices. The programmable waveform comprises one or more waveform parameters and one or more waveform lines. The waveform lines may comprise control lines and/or data lines. One or more of the waveform parameters may be set in response to user input, and corresponding signals based on the waveform lines may be generated in order to communicate with a target device selected from a variety of different possible target devices. Waveform parameters may include one or more of: setup time, hold time, lead time, trail time, idle time, clock frequency, clock duty cycle, number of data bits per transmission, number of data lines, pulse width, polarity, and phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: National Intruments Corporation
    Inventors: Aditya K. Rathi, Eric L. Singer, Caleb G. Wells, Yiqi Jiang
  • Patent number: 8635377
    Abstract: A centralized resource manager manages the routing of audio or visual information within a device, including a handheld device such as a smartphone. The resource manager evaluates data-driven policies to determine how to route audio or visual information to or from various input or output components connected to the device, including headphones, built-in speakers, microphones, bluetooth headsets, cameras, and so on. Among the data considered in the policies are connection status data, indicating if a device is connected, routing status data, indicating if a device is permitted to route information to or from a component, and grouping data, indicating logical relationships between various components. Components may be considered inherently routable, automatically routable, or optionally routable. Numerous other uses exist for such data, including providing simpler and more logical management interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Rostaing, Anthony J. Guetta, Greg Chapman
  • Patent number: 8631175
    Abstract: A method of performing an input/output operation includes: generating by a channel subsystem at least one command message including one or more device command words (DCWs), at least one DCW including a data count and a suppress-length indication (SLI) configured to instruct a control unit whether to continue to perform the I/O operation in response to an incorrect length condition; forwarding the at least one command message to the control unit; receiving an incorrect length (IL) value from the control unit and storing an IL indicator in a subchannel-status word, the IL indicator representing the IL value, the IL value being a first IL value in response to a first SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required, the IL value being a second IL value in response to a second SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susan K. Candelaria, Scott M. Carlson, Daniel F. Casper, John R. Flanagan, Roger G. Hathorn, Matthew J. Kalos, Louis W. Ricci, Dale F. Riedy, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 8626965
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a DMA engine to automatically validate DMA data paths for a computing device. During operation, the system configures the DMA engine to perform a programmable DMA operation that generates a sequence of memory accesses which validate the memory subsystem and DMA paths of the computing device. For instance, the operation may include a sequence of reads and/or writes that generate sufficient data traffic to exercise the computing device's I/O controller interface and DMA data paths to memory to a specified level. The system initiates this programmable DMA operation, and then checks outputs for the operation to confirm that the operation executed successfully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Feehrer, Jane W. Yan, Matthew G. Noel
  • Patent number: 8626960
    Abstract: An interface for an industrial controller is provided that enables connection of different types of plug-in I/O modules to the industrial controller. The interface includes several mechanisms, which can be implemented through control logic, circuitry, and/or software, that enable the control/monitoring device to operate in conjunction with different types of plug-in I/O modules. According to certain embodiments, the interface includes setup mechanisms that enable initial communications between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device. The interface also may include operational mechanisms that facilitate communication between the plug-in I/O modules and the control/monitoring device during operation. The interface further may include registers that store data for the plug-in I/O modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yue Zhang, Kevin Lee Huan Hong
  • Patent number: 8626968
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to an inter-queue anti-starvation mechanism with dynamic deadlock avoidance in a retry based pipeline are described. In one embodiment, logic may arbitrate between two queues based on various rules. The queues may store data including local or remote requests, data responses, non-data responses, external interrupts, etc. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Vash, Bongjin Jung, Pritpal S. Ahuja
  • Patent number: 8621121
    Abstract: An improved technique for processing IO requests has been described that distinguishes bogus IOs from genuine IO request failures by accessing a hardware configuration record that associates available paths with hardware components at different hardware layers traversed by the paths. When an IO request fails down a first path, a second path is selected for retrying the IO request by accessing the hardware configuration record and identifying a path that the record indicates traverses hardware components that are different from those traversed by the first path at multiple hardware layers. The chance that an IO request will fail due to faulty hardware over both the first path and the second path is thus low, such that IO failures down both the first path and the second path provide a clear indication that the IO request is bogus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Bappe, Vinay G. Rao, Ronald Chambers
  • Patent number: 8621122
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a non-transitory, tangible computer readable storage medium encoded with processor readable instructions to perform a method of transferring SDIO data. One method comprises buffering multiple IP packets to transfer from one of a SDCC host and a SDIO client to the other of the SDCC host and the SDIO client. A multiplexing header is attached to each of the multiple IP packets and one of at least one SDIO read command and at least one SDIO write command issued. The multiple IP packets are then transferred in a single SDIO transfer between the one of a SDCC host and a SDIO client to the other of the SDCC host and the SDIO client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Innovation Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Vaibhav Kumar, Mark A. Landguth, Mohit K. Prasad, Erez Tsidon, Shailesh Maheshwari, Rashmi Char, Robert C. Coleman
  • Patent number: 8615610
    Abstract: An interface including first and second transport protocol circuitry, a memory and a mode controller. The interface includes first and second physical interface types which are both selectively enabled to interface a set of pads. The first transport protocol circuitry is operative with the first type physical interface in a first mode and the second transport protocol circuitry is operative with the second type physical interface in a second mode. The memory stores a mode value indicative of the operating mode. The mode controller enables one of the physical interface types and a corresponding transport protocol based on the mode value. The first mode is the default mode, and the mode controller enables dynamic transition to the second mode. An escape indication may be enabled during the second mode for dynamic transition back to the first mode. Programmable timing values may be used to facilitate mode transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Miller, Ray C. Marshall, Jehoda Refaeli
  • Patent number: 8612631
    Abstract: The control apparatus according to the invention includes a keypad detachable from the control apparatus and including a communication device that facilitates communicating with a personal computer such that the keypad detached from the control apparatus is connected to the personal computer for setting the operations of the control apparatus and, then, the keypad is attached to the control apparatus to make the control apparatus conduct the control operations based on the setting contents set in the keypad. The control apparatus according to the invention facilitates setting the operations thereof in any place different from the place, therein the control apparatus is installed, and reducing the electric power fed to the control apparatus during the setting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8601174
    Abstract: In a computer system, a virtual machine (VM) guest is instantiated on a VM host. The VM host detects a plurality of successive universal serial bus (USB) events occurring in the computer system and compares the plurality of successive USB events to a preset criterion. When the plurality of successive USB events meets the preset criterion, the VM host transmits a request for triggering an operation mode to the VM guest. The VM guest executes a control program for initiating the operation mode in response to the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teng-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 8595399
    Abstract: A video/sound signal switching and distributing device makes connections to a plurality of video/sound signal receiving devices to be connected at startup of a system and performs authentication between itself and the plurality of video/sound signal receiving devices, thereby acquiring key selection information about a video/sound signal transmitting device and holding the key selection information. Even when another video/sound signal receiving device is connected to the video/sound signal transmitting device while one video/sound signal is already in the middle of displaying a view of the video/sound signal, the video/sound signal transmitting device and the video/sound signal switching and distributing device can again establish a connection without redoing mutual authentication. Hence, disconnection and re-connection of the video/sound signal can be performed without interruption of the video/sound signal being displayed for viewing purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Hattori, Susumu Ibaraki
  • Patent number: 8589609
    Abstract: An approach is provided in which a number of inter-unit communication connections are detected between a rack-mounted system unit and adjacent rack-mounted system units. The connections are established by a set of electrical contacts selected from a set of available electrical contacts included on surfaces of the rack-mounted system unit. The set of electrical contacts is determined by physical masks inserted between the rack-mounted system unit and adjacent rack-mounted system units. A configuration of rack-mounted system units is identified including the rack-mounted system unit and the adjacent system units rack based on an arrangement of the inter-unit communication connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: John Charles Hilburn
  • Patent number: 8589599
    Abstract: A device comprises circuitry and a transceiver in communication with the circuitry. In operation, the device is configured to cause the transceiver to: periodically send a broadcast message to indicate the availability of the device for attachment to another device; receive, from the another device, a first pre-attachment message that is sent utilizing first information sent by the device; send, to the another device, a first response that is sent in response to the first pre-attachment message and includes second information; receive, from the another device, a second pre-attachment message that is sent utilizing the second information; send, to the another device, a second response that is sent in response to the second pre-attachment message; and communicate, with the another device, a data signal utilizing a second one of the addresses for identification in association with the another device, for data transfer in connection with a group controlled by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Tri-County Excelsior Foundation
    Inventor: Robert J Donaghey
  • Patent number: 8583837
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing virtual stacks are described. A kernel driver is installed and loaded. Then, a virtual stack is created, the virtual stack having a virtual file system, a virtual physical disk, and one or more virtual mounted volume devices. The virtual file system is configured to mimic characteristics of a host file system. The virtual physical disk is configured for providing an interface of a memory storage device to which the virtual file system device binds. The one or more virtual mounted volume devices are configured for allowing the one or more virtual processes to access data in stored memory through the virtual stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Citrix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Larkin, Gaurang Thakkar
  • Patent number: 8578061
    Abstract: Addressing, by USB host adaptors, packets conveying USB data over a non-USB network, including the steps of: Connecting USB hosts with respective USB host adaptors (USBHs). Connecting USB devices with respective USB device adaptors (USBDs). Enabling, by the non-USB network, each USBHs to discover the presence and capabilities of each USBDs. Initiating USB-over-network connections between the USB hosts and the USB devices. Receiving, by the USBHs, information about the USB devices and the USB-over-network connections. And adding, by the USBHs, network addresses of the USBDs to packets conveying USB data from the USB hosts to the USB devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valens Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Aviv Salamon, Eyran Lida
  • Patent number: 8578060
    Abstract: Connecting USB devices with USB hosts over distinct network paths, including the following steps: Connecting USB hosts with respective USB host adaptors (USBHs), essentially according to USB specification timings. Connecting USB devices with respective USB device adaptors (USBDs). Enabling the USBDs and the USBHs to communicate over a network that can connect each USBD with each USBH. Initiating USB connections over the network between the USB devices and the USB hosts. And operating at least two of the USB connections over the network essentially simultaneously and without any common network node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Valens Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Eyran Lida, Aviv Salamon
  • Patent number: 8572303
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a portable device comprising at least one processor. The portable device also comprises a memory coupled to the processor comprising data. Further, the portable device comprises a detector configured to detect at least one external device. The at least one external device is configured to connect to the portable device. Further, the portable device comprises an interface to connect to the at least one external device. The interface is configured to transmit or receive one or more control signals excluding the data. Furthermore, the portable device comprises a controller configured to enable controlling of the portable device from the at least one external device; and controlling of the at least one external device from the portable device through the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Tal Lavian, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Publication number: 20130282925
    Abstract: A method and apparatus in a vehicular telemetry system for an intelligent I/O expander. The intelligent I/O expander may be configured in an active mode or a passive mode. A vehicular telemetry hardware system may be configured in a passive serial control mode or an active serial control mode. The intelligent I/O expander capable of adding additional device to the vehicular telemetry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GEOTAB Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Charles Cawse, Darren Marc Lohmann Beams, Antonios Partheniou, Thomas Arthur Walli, Clive James Cawse, Victor Barreto
  • Patent number: 8560734
    Abstract: A method and system that allows a host system application to securely communicate with a legacy device is provided. A redirector software module receives data that is destined for a host system serial COM port. Data is secured and re-directed to a legacy device via a network port instead of the serial COM port. Conversely, data destined for the host system is provided to a device server via a server COM port by the legacy serial device. The data can be encrypted and sent to the host system via the network. The redirector software module decrypts the encrypted data and presents it to the consumer application as if the data had arrived via the local COM port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lantronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl R. Miller, David A. Garrett
  • Patent number: 8554924
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Holden, Lawrence Bolton, Nitin Ganatra, Mitchell Adler, Emily Clark Schubert, Jesse Lee Dorogusker, Shyam Toprani, John Ananny
  • Patent number: 8554953
    Abstract: The Advanced Logic System (ALS) is a complete control system architecture, based on a hardware platform rather than a software-based microprocessor system. It is significantly different from other PLC-type control system architectures, by implementing a FPGA in the central control unit. Standard FPGA logic circuits are used rather than a software-based microprocessor which eliminate problems with software based microprocessor systems, such as software common-mode failures. It provides a highly reliable system suitable for safety critical control systems, including nuclear plant protection systems. The system samples process inputs, provides for digital bus communications, applies a control logic function, and provides for controlled outputs. The architecture incorporates advanced features such as diagnostics, testability, and redundancy on multiple levels. It additionally provides significant improvements in failure detection, isolation, and mitigation for the highest level of integrity and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Steen Ditlev Sorensen, Sten Sogaard
  • Publication number: 20130262708
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a virtual host controller function is added to the host computer in order to direct data communications towards a pre-existing network transceiver. As a result, the host computer is not required to be provided with USB hardware and is able to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ICRON TECNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Alexander McLeod
  • Patent number: 8549188
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an electronic device having a main microcomputer that controls some functions of the electronic device, and a sub microcomputer that executes a process according to an operation input from an external device by using a control program. The sub microcomputer has a first memory that stores plural control programs respectively corresponding to each different specification of the electronic device. The main microcomputer has a second memory that stores specification information to specify the electronic device and sends a selection instruction of the specification to the sub microcomputer based on the specification information stored in the second memory. The sub microcomputer selects the control program corresponding to the specification indicated by the selection instruction from the plural control programs stored in the first memory and then executes a process according to the selected control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Fujishima
  • Publication number: 20130254429
    Abstract: Each communication path between controllers and a plurality of storage devices has a plurality of expanders coupled in series. In order to shorten the time during which the communication path is not used for I/O, either (A) the length of time for which I/O suppression is set for the communication path is shortened, or (B) the overall time it takes for processing other than I/O processing is shortened. In the (A), a determination as to whether or not the coupling between the expanders has been disconnected is made for the I/O-suppressed communication path, and in a case where the result of this determination is negative, a discover process is carried out after releasing the I/O suppression with respect to this communication path. In the (B), the number of command issue times of updating routing control information of the expander is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi MIMATA, Yoshihiro OIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8543740
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) configured to operate as a slave on an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) or I2C compatible bus. The IC is further configured to receive an address through the I2C bus and store the received address in a register, so as to be identified by the address. A method of address assignment in a master/slave system, the system comprises at least one master, a plurality of slaves, and an I2C or I2C compatible bus. The method comprises sending a first address by the master on the I2C bus to a first of the plurality of slaves and storing the first address on the first slave to identify the first slave by the first address. The method further comprises sending a second address by the master on the I2C bus to a second of the plurality of slaves and storing the second address on the second slave to identify the second slave by the second address. The steps of sending and storing are repeated until all slaves of the system have stored an address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Lotzenburger, Richard Oed
  • Patent number: 8543745
    Abstract: An accessory for use with a portable computing device is provided. The accessory includes a keypad and a pedestal to house the control circuitry and provide mechanical stability for the accessory. The accessory includes a metal mass that performs dual functions of providing the mass for stability as well as acting as a ground connection for the keypad and other control circuitry. The accessory includes a connector for interfacing with a portable computing device and an additional connector for interfacing with an additional accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jahan Minoo, Gregory T. Lydon, Kenneth Loo, Lawrence G. Bolton, Roberto G. Yepez, John M. Ananny
  • Patent number: 8539183
    Abstract: A memory card of one published standard, such as the Multi-Media Card (MMC) or Secure Digital Card (SD), is modified to include the function of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) according to another published standard. The controller of the memory card communicates between electrical contacts on the outside of the card and both the memory and the SIM. In one specific form, the memory card has the physical configuration of the current Plug-in SIM card with a few external contacts added to accommodate the memory controller and data memory. In another specific form, the memory card has the physical configuration of the current SD card, including external contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Eliyahou Harari, Yoram Cedar, Wesley G. Brewer, Yosi Pinto, Reuven Elhamias, Micky Holtzman
  • Patent number: 8539123
    Abstract: Management of data communication between a peripheral device and host computer system is provided. A peripheral device exposes to a host computer system multiple interfaces for data communication between the peripheral device and the host computer system. The multiple interfaces are exposed over a single physical interface between the peripheral device and the host computer system, for communicating data between the peripheral device and multiple applications executing on the host computer system. The multiple interfaces can include a dedicated management interface facilitating management of the peripheral device by a management application of the multiple applications executing on the host computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Aldo Caballero
  • Patent number: 8539117
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems for state change in systems having devices coupled in a chained configuration. A number of embodiments include a host and a number of devices coupled to the host in a chained configuration. The chained configuration includes at least one device that is not directly coupled to the host. The at least one device that is not directly coupled to the host is configured to change from a first communication state to a second communication state responsive to receipt of a command from the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Radke, Victor Y. Tsai, James Cooke, Neal A. Galbo, Peter Feeley
  • Patent number: 8539125
    Abstract: A combined USB flash drive cap audio device is provided. In at least one embodiment, a thumb drive cap includes: a portable housing defined as a USB cap for a portable USB storage thumb drive; a female USB connector interface defined within the portable housing and configured to receive and electronically couple to a male USB connector on the portable USB storage thumb drive; a control unit disposed within the portable housing and configured to enable audio playback through the thumb drive cap of audio data stored on the connected portable USB storage thumb drive; and a plurality of user interface buttons disposed upon the portable housing and through which the thumb drive cap is controlled by a user for audio playback and audio record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Ford, Sarah Ford
  • Patent number: 8533376
    Abstract: A data processing method includes generating a data storing area in a memory space. An area address of the data storing area is designated to a basic I/O control on the user space in a memory. The memory has a user space and a kernel space. A function is called in the kernel space using the basic I/O control. Whether the data storing area is inside the memory space is determined. The area address of the data storing area is set as an argument of the function in a case where it is determined that the data storing area is included in the memory space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Hiroya Kobayashi, Keiichi Takaoka
  • Patent number: 8533364
    Abstract: An interface circuit provided with a first input/output unit and a second input/output unit which respectively access external apparatuses to which electric power is supplied from power sources via different electric power supply lines includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information whether electric power is supplied to the respective external apparatuses based on a command from the outside; a selection circuit configured to select an input/output unit corresponding to an external apparatus to which electric power is supplied, from the first input/output unit and the second input/output unit based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit; and a control circuit configured to output an instruction corresponding to the command, to the external apparatus to which electric power is supplied, via the input/output unit selected by the selection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasufumi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8521924
    Abstract: There is provided a method of context aware data-centric storage for dynamically changing a data storage range comprising: collecting data from entire sensor nodes, after establishing a data storage range of an entire sensor network, dividing areas, and transmitting a message of data storage range information to the entire sensor nodes by a base station; storing the collected data in a storage sensor node by determining whether there is a node responsible for storing the collected data to carry out operation depending on the determination result; determining whether the data storage has not been carried out for a period of time longer than a specified time in each sensor node after storing the data; and to determining whether the scale of invalid range is not smaller than ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Chungbuk National University Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jae-Soo Yoo, Jun-Ho Park, Dong-ook Seong, Hyun-Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 8521922
    Abstract: Various embodiments for an Input/Output (I/O) path selection based on workload types are provided. A port workload controller is adapted to control the workload types of ports for accessing a storage device. A storage access command is received by the port workload controller from an application being executed on a virtual server on a physical server. The workload types related to the storage access command are determined. Storage access paths between the application and the storage device having the same workload types as the determined workload types related to the storage access command are determined. Storage access paths mapping data that is controlled by the port workload controller is used. A selected storage access path is selected out of the determined storage access paths having the least utilization. The storage device is accessed via the selected one of the plurality of storage access paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nils Haustein, Thorsten Krause, Ulf Troppens
  • Patent number: 8521918
    Abstract: A method and other embodiments associated with an interface controller (310) are described. One example method (100) includes monitoring an interface device presence signal for an interface port connector (330) associated with an interface controller (310). The example method (100) also includes controlling (120) the interface controller (310) to be selectively hidden from an operating system (360) in response to the interface device presence signal being negative. The example method (100) further includes controlling (130) the interface controller (310) to be selectively disclosed to the operating system (360) in response to the interface device presence signal being positive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Darren J. Cepulis, Jason Spottswood
  • Patent number: 8516169
    Abstract: For the transmission of a telegram from the control device to the peripheral element an intermediate device receives the telegram from the control device and forwards it without amendment to the peripheral element. For the transmission of a telegram from the peripheral element to the control device the intermediate device receives the telegram from the peripheral element and forwards it without amendment to the control device. The telegrams are safety telegrams, so that telegrams forwarded to the control device or to the peripheral element from the respective receiving unit can be checked for freedom from errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Extra, Hermann Jartyn
  • Patent number: 8510488
    Abstract: A transmission control unit transmits function specifying information for specifying a function to be executed. A function control unit executes a first function specified by the function specifying information. A connecting unit, when an additional function control unit that executes a second function specified according to the function specifying information is connected between the transmission control unit and the function control unit, transmits the function specifying information to the additional function control unit, and when it is disconnected, transmits the function specifying information to the function control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Mutsumi Namba
  • Publication number: 20130205047
    Abstract: A method and system that allows a host system application to securely communicate with a legacy device is provided. A redirector software module receives data that is destined for a host system serial COM port. Data is secured and re-directed to a legacy device via a network port instead of the serial COM port. Conversely, data destined for the host system is provided to a device server via a server COM port by the legacy serial device. The data can be encrypted and sent to the host system via the network. The redirector software module decrypts the encrypted data and presents it to the consumer application as if the data had arrived via the local COM port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Lantronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Lantronix, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8495294
    Abstract: A management system, which manages a plurality of storage systems, in a case where belonging to a storage system having a first function constitutes a condition for allocating a plurality of volumes to a host device, retrieves the storage system having the first function from among the plurality of storage systems, selects one or more unallocated logical volumes included in the retrieved storage system, acquires a logical volume capacity included in the selected logical volumes and notifies an output device of the acquired capacity as the capacity allocatable to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Murayama, Masayasu Asano
  • Publication number: 20130179595
    Abstract: A disk array apparatus using an SAS can transfer data without lowering a transfer efficiency of data even if rates of a plurality of physical links connected to a controller and storage device are different. A plurality of HDDs are connected to a controller through an expander. Data are transferred from the controller to the expander and then to HDD. In this connection, the controller and the expander transfers a set of transfer data in a plurality of the HDD-side physical links. The controller-side physical link integrates the transfer data, and multiplexes them to transfer. A plurality of HDDs-side physical links separates the transfer data to transfer in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Chikusa, Satoru Yamaura, Toshio Tachibana, Takehiro Maki, Hirotaka Honma
  • Patent number: 8484335
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer products for download notification including identifying content for download, requesting a download of the content to a device and requesting a notification related to the status of the download.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Lloyd Thomas Whitfield, Jr., James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8473641
    Abstract: A computer program product is configured for performing a method including: generating at least one command message by a channel subsystem of the host computer system, the at least one command message including one or more device command words (DCWs), wherein at least one DCW of the one or more DCWs includes a suppress-length indication (SLI) configured to instruct a control unit to continue to perform the I/O operation in response to the control unit detecting that the data count does not match an amount of data required; receiving an incorrect length (IL) value, the IL value being a first IL value in response to the SLI being a first SLI value and the data count not matching the amount of data required; and responsive to receiving the IL value from the control unit, storing an IL indicator in a subchannel-status word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susan K. Candelaria, Scott M. Carlson, Daniel F. Casper, John R. Flanagan, Roger G. Hathorn, Matthew J. Kalos, Louis W. Ricci, Dale F. Riedy, Harry M. Yudenfriend
  • Patent number: 8463967
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for scheduling queues based on a chained list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Qinglei Liao, Wei Lai, Zhiyong Liao
  • Patent number: 8463961
    Abstract: There is provided video switching circuitry for use in a KVM switch and similar devices. Video signal switching circuitry can supply video signals from a one of a plurality of video sources connected to the circuit to a display device connected to the circuit. The high data signalling rate signals are converted into a greater number of lower data signalling rate signals for switching by a bus architecture. Also provided are video display systems in which analogue and digital video signals are switched synchronously to allow them to be displayed on common or separate display devices. Also described is a high-resolution monitor digital video data switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Adder Technology Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Anthony Dickens, Adrian Christopher Dickens, William Haylock
  • Patent number: 8458376
    Abstract: A USB peripheral device with a power connector, such as a card reader, which serves as a peripheral device when it is connected to a host device such as a smart phone, while which can directly charge the host device when a charger is plugged in, is disclosed. The peripheral device has a USB connector and a controller. The ID, D+, D? and VBUS pins of the USB connector are connected to the controller and the power connector through a plurality of relays depending upon whether the power connector is connected by a charger or not. The peripheral device can be automatically switched to serve as a B-device or a power bridge transferring power from the charger to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: I/O Interconnect Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny Chen, Ping-Shun Zeung