Bus Expansion Or Extension Patents (Class 710/300)
  • Patent number: 7529872
    Abstract: A connector interface system is disclosed. The connector interface system includes an interface and a protocol in communication with which allows a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a plurality of accessory lingoes. The accessory lingoes comprise a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emily C. Schubert, Wang Chun Leung, Gregory T. Lydon, Scott Krueger, Paul Holden, John Archibald, Lawrence G. Bolton, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Patent number: 7529877
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for a simplified Serial SCSI Protocol (“SSP”) link layer within a SAS device. Features and aspects hereof provide a simplified SSP link layer processor to enable cost reduction and simplification of Serial Attached SCSI (“SAS”) devices requiring only limited SSP exchange functionality. In one embodiment, a SAS expander may incorporate the simplified SSP link layer features and aspects hereof to permit simple management of SAS devices coupled to the expander or coupled downstream through other expanders. The simplified SSP link layer suffices for simple SAS management functions while reducing cost and complexity of the SAS expander. Features and aspects hereof may be implemented with minimal customized circuits for SSP link layer management in the SAS device. In one aspect hereof, the simplified link layer processing may be implemented as a simplified state machine model in combinatorial logic coupled with any requisite memory components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Bashford, Timothy E. Hoglund
  • Patent number: 7529871
    Abstract: A connector interface system is disclosed. The connector interface system includes an interface and a protocol in communication with which allows a media player to communicate with external devices over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a plurality of accessory lingoes. The accessory lingoes comprise a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emily C. Schubert, Wang Chun Leung, Gregory T. Lydon, Scott Krueger, Paul Holden, John Archibald, Lawrence G. Bolton, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20090113101
    Abstract: An adapter for USB interfaces, includes a cable, and two interface units respectively electrically connected to ends of the cable. Each of the interfaces includes a main body and two different types of USB interfaces extending from the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-Chun Liu, Xiao-Lin Gan, Yu-Kuang Ho
  • Publication number: 20090113102
    Abstract: A host having a casing, a motherboard, and at least a detachable expansion device is provided. The casing has at least an expansion bay. The motherboard is disposed in the casing and has at least a bus expansion portion. The detachable expansion device is detachably disposed in the expansion bay and includes a circuit board, at least a bus connector, a panel, and at least a transmission portion. The bus connector is electrically connected to the circuit board and has a connection port. The panel is connected to a first side of the circuit board and exposes the connection port. A surface of the panel and the connection port are exposed outside the casing. The transmission portion is disposed on the circuit board and electrically connected to the circuit board. The bus connector is electrically connected to the bus expansion portion through the transmission portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Charles Wang
  • Patent number: 7526588
    Abstract: A connector interface system is disclosed. The connector interface system includes an interface and a protocol in communication with which allows a media player to communicate with external devices over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a plurality of accessory lingoes. The accessory lingoes comprise a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, a RF transmitter lingo and an extended interface lingo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Emily C. Schubert, Wang Chun Leung, Gregory T. Lydon, Scott Krueger, Paul Holden, John Archibald, Lawrence G. Bolton, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Patent number: 7516261
    Abstract: Method for executing an application is provided. The method includes interfacing a U3 adapter with a host system; and interfacing the U3 adapter with a memory device, wherein an application is executed by the U3 adapter and the application uses information stored on the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Joerg Ferchau, Carlos J. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20090089473
    Abstract: The invention uses a SGPIO bus as an optional route for the communication between the two SAS expanders to guarantee high communication performance. Furthermore, two GPIO buses are used respectively as receiver and transmitter of the SGPIO so as to achieve synchronous data transmission between two SAS expanders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Wangping He
  • Patent number: 7512726
    Abstract: A reconfigurable flash media reader system provides a flash media reader that accepts both asynchronous and synchronous flash media cards. The reader identifies the card type of the inserted flash media card and notifies the host computer of the card type. The host computer has a list of interface information for different types of flash media cards and references the card type in the list and sets the proper baud rate on the reader. If the flash media card is a synchronous card, data that is to written into the flash media card is gathered and converted to the proper card IO strobes for the card type which are interleaved with the proper card clock strobes for the card type into a bit stream in a bulk transfer packet. The reader extracts the data bit stream from said bulk transfer packet and clocks the data bit stream into the flash media card using the baud rate as a reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Ching-Yung Han, Chin-Ran Lo
  • Publication number: 20090049222
    Abstract: A PCI Express-compatible flash device can include one or more flash memory modules, a controller, and an ExpressCard interface. The controller can advantageously provide PCI Express functionality as well as flash memory operations, e.g. writing, reading, or erasing, using the ExpressCard interface. A PIO interface includes sending first and second memory request packets to the flash device. The first memory request packet includes a command word setting that prepares the flash device for the desired operation. The second memory request packet triggers the operation and includes a data payload, if needed. A DMA interface includes sending the second memory request from the flash device to the host, thereby triggering the host to release the system bus for the DMA operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Lee, Sun-Teck See, Horng-Yee Chou, I-pieng Peter Kao
  • Publication number: 20090037632
    Abstract: A portable device comprises a wireless transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a computing device. The portable device comprises a battery that provides power to the wireless transceiver. The portable device also comprises a first connector adapted to mate with a corresponding second connector on the computing device. The battery receives charging current from the portable computing device via the first connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Bart M. DOWNING
  • Patent number: 7484019
    Abstract: A serial-connection and parallel-communication fast interface for a PLC host and an expansion device includes a PLC host, at least one expansion device and shared bus comprising address lines, data lines, control lines and I/O addressing lines. The PLC host comprises an initial address output circuit and outputting a clamping value to the expander through an output addressing line. The expansion device includes a microprocessor, a memory unit and a clamping and decoding circuit such that the expansion device can automatically allocate the order thereof and output the clamping value through the addressing line. The expansion device can automatically allow or block the data from the PLC host. Therefore, the problem of overlong communication time for data access, the augmentation of expansion device and order limitation can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Yen Tu
  • Patent number: 7478188
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously associating a wireless USB device with multiple wireless USB hosts includes a wireless USB device, a plurality of wireless USB hosts, and means for simultaneously interconnecting the wireless USB device with more than one of the wireless USB hosts. A method for connecting a wireless USB (WUSB) device to multiple WUSB hosts includes the steps of connecting the wireless USB device to a first WUSB host and putting the connection with the first WUSB host into a pseudo sleep mode, scanning a radio frequency spectrum for a new WUSB host that is available for connection to the device, connecting the device to the new WUSB host, and putting the connection with the new WUSB host into a pseudo sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David B. Patton
  • Patent number: 7478187
    Abstract: Hot connection and disconnection of an external graphics cable with an information handling system provides automatic selection of an external graphics device or an internal graphics device for presentation of visual information. A graphics state module periodically stores visual information, such as display objects for recreating a display frame, and monitors an external graphics device port, such as a PCI Express port, to detect a change in connection state at the external graphics port. Upon detection of a connection or disconnection at the external graphics port, the graphics state module attempts to initiate graphics devices in a predetermined order and provides the stored visual information for presentation at successfully initiated graphics devices according to the predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Knepper, Thomas A. Shows
  • Patent number: 7475179
    Abstract: In ultrahigh speed data transfer, a drive pulse is attenuated due to a skin effect and a dielectric loss, and a tail generated by a sub coupler extends as the drive pulse propagates on the main line. For that reason, an intersymbol interference becomes large, which causes jitters. In a memory system to which a plurality of DRAM memory modules are connected, in order to transfer data at high-speed, directional couplers are wired between a main controller and each of the modules, and the coupling lengths become longer with farther ends, thereby suppressing jitters. The directional couplers are wired between the main controller and each of the modules, and the coupling lengths are made longer with the farther ends with the results that the generated signal amounts are made constant, and jitters of the wiring and receiver delay are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Hideki Osaka
  • Publication number: 20090006697
    Abstract: The attaching of labels to an OPEN frame and applying label switched routing to SAS expanders is disclosed to eliminate the need for large routing tables in SAS networks. A label stack is inserted into the OPEN frame by the initiator, prior to the OPEN frame being transmitted. Each label contains the egress port for a SAS expander in the transmit path. Each SAS expander to be participating in the connection reads the labels to determine the egress port to connect to and through which data is to be sent. The SAS expander marks its label invalid or discards it and forwards the OPEN frame to the egress port where the next SAS expander will look for the first valid label. The process repeats until the OPEN frame reaches the edge device, at which time all labels are discarded and the OPEN frame is forwarded to the end device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Emulex Design & Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence R. Doherty, Carl Joseph Mies, Bruce Gregory Warren
  • Patent number: 7469201
    Abstract: A modeling system and process for for computer-aided, block-based modeling involving preparation of a first block diagram (1) in a first model plane (2) that relates to a first abstraction stage, in which at least one block (3) is able to be placed in the first model plane (2) and several blocks are connectable to one another by horizontal data transfer devices for horizontally exchanging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: dSPACE digital signal processing and control engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Kiffmeier, Ulrich Louis
  • Patent number: 7464212
    Abstract: Embodiments are generally directed to a method and apparatus for determining compatibility between devices. In one embodiment, a table including a module's parameters and rules associated therewith is obtained from a module. The rules are applied to a slot's parameters to determine the module's compatibility with the slot upon coupling to the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Narad
  • Patent number: 7461318
    Abstract: A two-way transmission system of the present invention is arranged in such a manner that, when a host-side controller confirms the receipt of an IN packet from a USB host, the host-side controller transfers the IN packet to a function-side controller, and receives a DATA packet from the function side. The received DATA packet is temporarily stored in a FIFO. At the time of the receipt of the IN packet again, the host-side controller supplies, to the USB host, the DATA packet stored in the FIFO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumihiro Fukae, Hitoshi Naoe, Koji Sakai, Shohei Osawa
  • Publication number: 20080294827
    Abstract: A slot interface access device including a slot management module; a slot control module; and a physical slot to management slot contrast table, the slot management module, the slot control module, and the physical slot to management slot contrast table being provided between an input and output control module and a slot interface lower than the input and output control module. The input and output control module accesses the slot interface using virtual slot identification information. The slot management module converts the virtual slot identification information into physical slot identification information while referring to the physical slot to management slot contrast table, and accesses the slot control module corresponding to the physical slot identification information, thereby realizing a physical access of the input and output control module to the slot interface. The slot interface access device is higher in CPU capability than other devices each including the slot interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: NEC INFRONTIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori HIKABE
  • Publication number: 20080294828
    Abstract: A slot interface access device including a slot management module; a slot control module; and a physical slot to management slot contrast table, the slot management module, the slot control module, and the physical slot to management slot contrast table being provided between an input and output control module and a slot interface lower than the input and output control module. The input and output control module accesses the slot interface using virtual slot identification information. The slot management module converts the virtual slot identification information into physical slot identification information while referring to the physical slot to management slot contrast table, and accesses the slot control module corresponding to the physical slot identification information obtained by conversion, thereby realizing a physical access of the input and output control module to the slot interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: NEC INFRONTIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Hikabe
  • Publication number: 20080288697
    Abstract: A storage device has a memory module and a cover pivotally coupled to a housing of the memory module. In one such storage device, the memory module and cover can pivot with respect to each other to configure the storage device in a first configuration or in each of one or more second configurations. In the first configuration, the cover substantially encloses a connector of the memory module that extends from the housing. In one or more second configurations, the connector is entirely exposed. For one embodiment, opposing light-transmission elements may pass through the cover and extend into an interior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Hyekyung (Sophia) Kim
  • Patent number: 7451192
    Abstract: In an AV-data transfer system, AV data stored in a RAID embedded in an AV server is supplied to a client personal computer connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet by way of the network, and AV data output by the client personal computer is transmitted to the AV server through the network to be stored in the RAID. The AV server makes accesses to the RAID to write and read out data into and from the RAID. In addition to the AV server, the AV-data transfer system also includes another personal computer for exchanging AV data with the client personal computer and receiving a variety of commands from the client personal computer by way of the network in accordance with an FTP (File Transfer Protocol). As a result, it is possible to fast handle access requests made by a larger number of client personal computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohisa Shiga
  • Publication number: 20080266776
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a modular computer system for use in residential, recreational, and commercial regions. The system is a computer system disposed within an existing outlet receptacle housing. The receptacle includes a conventional NEMA standard OS1 and OS2 type electrical housing and electrical line designed to accommodate a residential or commercial light switch, electrical outlet, etc. The computer system is electrically coupled to the electrical line disposed within the housing of the receptacle and includes a mechanically extendable expansion bus configured to mechanically support and data inter-couple a set of modules for providing computer functionality. The expansion bus can be extended to access the modules or collapsed within the receptacle so as to be externally visually obscured by an interface module or cover. The computer system is configured to dynamically detect and data couple with other modular computer systems in a particular region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Robin Peng
  • Patent number: 7441708
    Abstract: In order to greatly simplify the electronics of devices utilizing memory cards, a new type of interface specification is presented which is called DPXD for a “Dual Ported extended Digital” memory card. The DPXD interface specification comprises an electrical signal set definition based upon a new dual USB concept call Dual Ported USB or DPUSB, a mechanical and electrical definition for a memory card socket, an associated memory card signal and mechanical specification for a memory card, and a mechanical definition for cables compatible with the DPXD socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Arthur Schade
  • Patent number: 7441061
    Abstract: Inter-module communications of an optical network element are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary optical network element includes multiple functional modules arranged in multiple shelves and multiple management modules for coordinating the functional modules. Each of the management modules corresponds to each of the shelves respectively. Each of the management modules includes a memory having multiple memory regions, where each memory region corresponds to each of the functional modules of a respective shelf to allow each of the functional modules of the respective shelf to communicate with the management module by accessing a respective memory region. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dynamic Method Enterprises Limited
    Inventor: Douglas A. Gilligan
  • Patent number: 7441058
    Abstract: A method, system, and connector interface for controlling an accessory. The method includes obtaining, by a portable media player, tuning information from the accessory; and controlling, by the portable media player, the accessory based on the tuning information. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the portable media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the portable media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Bolton, Gregory T. Lydon, Terry Tikalsky, Donald J. Novotney, John B. Filson, David Tupman
  • Publication number: 20080250179
    Abstract: A discrete, self-contained computer processing system includes a housing, a motherboard carried by the housing, a central processing unit operatively connected to the motherboard, a volatile memory operatively connected to the motherboard, and one or more connectors operatively connected to the motherboard to selectively operatively connect a peripheral device to the motherboard to operate with the device. No other computer-operated components and no computer-operated peripheral devices, are carried by the housing. A discrete peripherals unit operatively connectable to the processing system includes one or more computer-operated peripheral devices and does not include a motherboard, a central processing unit and volatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Sung Ub Moon
  • Patent number: 7433987
    Abstract: A computer apparatus that interconnects a standard commercial off the shelf (COTS) computer to a proprietary system. The standard COTS computer replaces a proprietary computer and assumes its roles of controlling a workstation and a display thereof of the proprietary system. The computer apparatus comprises a frame that carries the COTS computer, a power converter, adapters, a video module, Ethernet and UBS connectors, a hard drive and the like. The frame mates with slots of a backplane of the proprietary system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Freimark
  • Publication number: 20080244139
    Abstract: This disk array subsystem includes a data input/output unit for inputting and outputting data in and from the network, a connecting unit for connecting the data input/output unit and a plurality of storage apparatuses, and a control unit for controlling the input and output of data in and from the network. The control unit includes a logical link setting unit for zoning at least one or more physical links among a plurality of physical links for inputting and outputting data between the data input/output unit and the connecting unit, or between the connecting unit and the connecting unit into at least one or more logical links, and setting a plurality of logical links to one physical link; and a link unit for simultaneously multiplexing the data to a plurality of the logical links set with the logical link setting unit, and linking the data to the physical link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Akio NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20080228981
    Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable storage medium for designing, manufacturing, and/or testing a design for dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors is disclosed that include identifying whether a PCI Express device is installed into each PCI Express connector, and assigning a portion of the lanes to each PCI Express connector having a PCI Express device installed into the PCI Express connector. Dynamically allocating lanes to a plurality of PCI Express connectors may also include identifying a device type for each PCI Express device installed into the plurality of PCI Express connectors, creating allocation rules that specify the allocation of lanes to the plurality of PCI Express connectors, and receiving user allocation preferences that specify the allocation of lanes to the plurality of PCI Express connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: William E. ATHERTON, Marcus A. Baker, Eric R. Kern
  • Patent number: 7426595
    Abstract: A desktop holder includes a connector to be connected to a connector of a portable terminal inserted into an insertion inlet, a connector to be connected to a memory card inserted into a memory card slot, a cable which connects connectors, and a connector which connects an AC adaptor, thereby enabling a battery pack to be charged by the supply of charging DC voltage supplied from the AC adaptor to the portable terminal, as well as enabling the portable terminal to read and write from/to the memory card by key operation of the portable terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Osaka
  • Publication number: 20080215788
    Abstract: A connector for connecting a host device to one or more peripheral devices includes two ports, for example two USB ports, facing in two different, preferably opposite, directions. The scope of the invention also includes a system board that includes the connector, and a host device, such as a computer, that includes the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventor: Noam Kedem
  • Patent number: 7421523
    Abstract: An interfacing system facilitating user-friendly connectivity in a selected operating mode between a host computer system and a flash memory card. The interfacing system includes an interface device and a flash memory card. The interfacing system features significantly expanded operating mode detection capability within the flash memory card and marked reduction in the incorrect detection of the operating mode. The interface device includes a first end for coupling to the host computer and a second end for coupling to the flash memory card, while supporting communication in the selected operating mode which is also supported by the host computer system. The flash memory card utilizes a fifty pin connection to interface with the host computer system through the interface device. The fifty pin connection of the flash memory card can be used with different interface devices in a variety of configurations such as a universal serial mode, PCMCIA mode, and ATA IDE mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Lexar Media, Inc.
    Inventors: Petro Estakhri, Mahmud Assar
  • Patent number: 7421520
    Abstract: An I/O controller having separate command and data paths, thereby eliminating the bandwidth used by the commands and thus increasing bandwidth available to the data buses. Additionally, the I/O controller uses multiple dedicated data paths, for example, dedicated distributed buses, and provides increased speed due to improved hardware integration. The I/O controller employs distributed processing methods that decouple the external microprocessor from much of the decision-making, thereby providing improved operating efficiency and thus more useable bandwidth at any given clock frequency. Accordingly, the I/O controller is capable of maximizing I/O operations (IOPS) on all I/O ports by functioning at the rate of I/O connections to hosts and storage elements without becoming a bottleneck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Aristos Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil V. Wilkins, Robert L. Horn
  • Patent number: 7418538
    Abstract: An electronic instrument including: an upstream port UPPT provided on a side surface SF1 of the electronic instrument; a downstream port DWPT provided on a side surface SF2 which is a surface of the electronic instrument and opposite to the side surface SF1; and a data transfer control device which is connected to the upstream port UPPT and the downstream port DWPT and controls data transfer through the upstream port UPPT and data transfer through the downstream port DWPT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kamihara
  • Patent number: 7418524
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) extension allows for the transmission of data at high speeds over a much greater distance than typical USB operating range. USB devices may be connected to host computers at distances of 750 meters or more. USB tokens from a host computer are spoofed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Avocent Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wyatt Beasley, Gary Warren Shelton
  • Publication number: 20080201512
    Abstract: A serial attached SCSI (SAS) backplane and detection system thereof are provided. When a first SAS backplane is not serially connected to a second SAS backplane, a logic signal with first status value provided by a signal unit of first SAS backplane is output to a master control unit through a second pin. When the first SAS backplane is serially connected to the second SAS backplane, a logic signal with second status value provided by a signal unit of second SAS backplane is transmitted to a first pin of the first SAS backplane though a third pin of second SAS backplane and output to the master control unit through the second pin of first SAS backplane. Therefore, the master control unit determines whether the first SAS backplane is serially connected to the second SAS backplane according to the received logic signal with the first or the second status value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Lee
  • Patent number: 7415562
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of interacting with another device, includes: a module configured to provide a functionality, where the apparatus is configurable to support a second module for providing an additional functionality in order to permit variable functionality by the apparatus. The functionality may relate to an input-function and/or an output function. A method of providing functionality in a variable-function device, includes: removing a functionality from another device that can communicate with the variable-function device; and providing the removed functionality in the variable-function device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yancy T. Chen, Elizabeth B. Diaz, David R. Smith, Michael C. Ip, Peter Lee
  • Patent number: 7412544
    Abstract: A method and system for allowing a server blade in a blade chassis to use a remote universal serial bus (USB) device. Multiple USB devices are coupled to a management module in the blade chassis. A persona describing only authorized USB devices is sent to a reconfigurable input/output (I/O) device in the server blade in the blade chassis, allowing the server blade to utilize the remote USB device(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg Kent Gibson, Eric Richard Kern, Shane Michael Lardinois
  • Patent number: 7409477
    Abstract: A memory card comprising a first modular component that comprises a first interface and first conductors and a data mover that comprises second conductors coupled to the first conductors. The first modular component is replaceable with a second modular component that comprises a second interface that differs from the first interface and third conductors that are configured to couple to the second conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stewart R. Wyatt, Robin Alexis Takasugi
  • Patent number: 7409467
    Abstract: The system stores a storage address ADK1 of a page table element PEK1 that was being processed when a bus reset occurred, of page table elements of a page table specified by an ORB1. The system then reads out a storage address ADK2 of a page table element PEK2 having the same element number as PEK1, of page table elements of an ORB2 after the bus reset occurs, and restarts data transfer when ADK1 and ADK2 are the same. When the page table is absent, addresses DAD1 and DAD2 that are specified directly by the ORB1 and the ORB2 are compared. When data transfer is not be restarted but a command CMD1 of the ORB1 has already been issued to a device, the CMD1 is aborted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Fujita, Hiroyuki Kanai, Koji Nakao
  • Publication number: 20080183932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a talking webcam mainly composed of a camera and a network phone. The network phone includes a USB hub integrated circuit, a USB network phone integrated circuit, an audio amplifier circuit and an echo killer in conjunction with a key set, an earphone jack, a speaker, a microphone jack, a microphone disposed on an exterior. The camera includes a USB video sensor integrated circuit, and an optical lens disposed on the exterior. Thus, the talking webcam with the video and audio functions may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7406549
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for support of a non-standard device containing operating system data are described. According to one embodiment, a circuit comprises a first device that is not compliant with a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) standard, the first device containing operating system data, where the operating system data is not bootable for any non-standard device; a second device that is compliant with the PCI standard, the second device being associated with the operating system data, the association of the second device with the operating system data from the first device enabling the operating system data from the first device to be booted according to the PCI standard; and a memory to receive the operating system data from the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Soo Keong Ong, Wei Kee Law
  • Patent number: 7401168
    Abstract: A multi-port apparatus used to communicably connect a computer and a plurality of apparatuses connected to the computer through the computer serial communication ports, such as two computer serial communication ports. A second serial communication port of the computer is connectable to ports corresponding to the plurality of apparatuses desired to be communicated with. A changeover switch is controlled through a first serial communication port of the computer to select one of the plurality of the apparatuses to connect with the second serial communication port of the computer and communicating with the one apparatus through the second serial communication port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-uk Moon, Jeong-cheol Choi
  • Publication number: 20080147375
    Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products provide a portable electronic device configured to be communicatively coupled to a host device and configured to emulate one or more data storage medium drives, such as disk drives, of the host device. More particularly, a user interface of the portable electronic device may allow a user to instruct the portable electronic device to emulate a particular type of drive, such as a floppy drive, a CD drive, and a DVD drive, and to present data storage medium image files to the host device in the emulated drive. The systems, methods, devices, and computer products may also be configured to automatically present a second data storage medium image file to the host device in response to an eject request from the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Janne Siren, Reijo Gratseff
  • Publication number: 20080147937
    Abstract: A system and method for hot-plug/remove of a new component in a running communication fabric, such as a PCIe fabric, are provided. With the system and method, the addition of a new component in the fabric is detected and an event is sent to a multiple root fabric configuration manager. The multiple root fabric configuration manager gathers information about the new component and updates its I/O component tree structure in its configuration data structure to include the new component. The new component may then be utilized via the updated configuration data structure. When a component is to be removed, the multiple root fabric configuration manager receives an event indicating the component to be removed, determines which branches of the tree structure are affected by the removal, and updates its configuration data structure accordingly to remove the component and its associated components from the virtual plane of the removed component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas M. Freimuth, Renato J. Recio, Claudia A. Salzberg, Steven M. Thurber, Jacobo A. Vargas
  • Publication number: 20080140899
    Abstract: A memory system architecture is provided in which a memory controller controls operations of memory devices in a serial interconnection configuration. The memory controller has an output serial interface for sending memory commands and an input serial interface for receiving memory responses for those memory commands requisitioning such responses. Each memory device includes a memory, such as, for example, flash memory (e.g., NAND- and NOR-type flash memories). In an initialization phase, the memory devices are assigned with consecutive number addresses. The memory controller sends a target address and can recognize the type of the targeted memory device. A data path for the memory commands and the memory responses is provided by the interconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: HakJune OH, Hong Beom PYEON, Jin-Ki KIM
  • Publication number: 20080140898
    Abstract: A power-using device for drawing power over a communication and power bus is provided. The power-using device is adapted to draw only power from the communication and power bus, the bus being connected to a power supply and host computer. The power-using device is further capable of communicating with the bus via a host bus adapter through a communication link not comprised by the bus. The host bus adapter is capable of receiving power and communication from the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Edward Bacom, Matthew Thomas Starr, Matthew John Ninesling, Walter Wong
  • Patent number: 7386635
    Abstract: An electronic device (120) includes: an input connector (121), including at least three address pins and plural data pins; a function chip (123), including address pins and data pins corresponding to those of the input connector, and directly connected to the input connector by the data pins thereof; an adder disposed between the input connector and the function chip, and including at least three input pins and at least three output pins, the input pins being connected to the address pins of the input connector of the electronic device in one-to-one correspondence, the output pins being connected to the address pins of the function chip; and an output connector (124), including at least three address pins and plural data pins, the address pins being connected to the output pins of the adder in one-to-one correspondence, the data pins being respectively connected to the data pins of the input connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Pin Hsu