Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a state of a removable medium installed in an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a detection device, a non-volatile storage device, a state change detection device, and a first notification device. The detection device detects a state of the removable medium and creates state data. The non-volatile storage device stores the state data. The state change detection device detects a change of the state of the removable medium by comparing state data stored during a first power-on period to state data stored during a second power-on period, where the first power-on period and the second power-on period are separated by a power-off period. The first notification device produces a first notification if the state change detection device detects the change of the state of the removable medium.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards a system and method that utilizes external memory devices to cache sectors from a rotating storage device (e.g., a hard drive) to improve system performance. When an external memory device (EMD) is plugged into the computing device or onto a network in which the computing device is connected, the system recognizes the EMD and populates the EMD with disk sectors. The system routes I/O read requests directed to the disk sector to the EMD cache instead of the actual disk sector. The use of EMDs increases performance and productivity on the computing device systems for a fraction of the cost of adding memory to the computing device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus communicates within a system by using identification information for identifying a device includes, a first device in which a first identifier is uniquely set, a holding part that holds a second identifier settable arbitrarily for a device in the system, an acquiring part that acquires identification information corresponding to a second device connected in the system and is different from the first device, a determining part that determines whether the second identifier to be set for the first device is used in the system as the identification information based on the identification information corresponding to the second device acquired by the acquiring part and the second identifier held in the holding part, and a setting part that sets the second identifier as the identification information of the first device based on the determination by that the second identifier is not used in the system.

Abstract: A method comprises obtaining connectivity information from a plurality of electrical devices. Each such electrical device is separately coupled to a backplane, and at least one electrical device comprises a plurality of electrical interfaces adapted to be selectively coupled to each of multiple other electrical devices. Based on connectivity information from the at least one electrical device, the method further comprises providing configuration information to the at least one electrical device to cause the at least one electrical device to electrically couple to a target other electrical device via the backplane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively configuring a first PCI Express connector and a second PCI Express connector. The apparatus includes a PCB (printed circuit board) having a PCI Express first connector and a PCI Express second connector mounted thereon. A translation device connector and a bridge component are also mounted on the PCB. The bridge component is coupled to the first connector, the second connector, and the translation device connector. The translation device connector is adapted to couple to a translation device in either a first orientation or a second orientation, wherein the first orientation configures the first connector for a first number of lanes and the second orientation configures the first connector and the second connector for a second number of lanes.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for selectively enabling a power-on password. A password module stores the power-on password for a blade server. A test module determines if a power-on policy is satisfied. An access module grants access to the blade server if the power-on policy is not satisfied. If the power-on policy is satisfied, the access module may deny access to the blade server until the power-on password is received. In one embodiment, the power-on policy is satisfied if the blade server is removed from a first blade enclosure and inserted in a second blade enclosure.

Abstract: An electronic flash memory external storage method and device for data processing system, includes firmware which directly controls the access of electronic storage media and implements standard interface functions, adopts particular reading and writing formats of the external storage media, receives power via USB, externally stores date by flash memory and access control circuit 2 with the cooperation of the firmware, driver and operating system, and has write-protection so that the data can be safely transferred. The method according to present invention is highly efficient and all parts involved are assembled as a monolithic piece so that it has large-capacity with small size and high speed. The device operates in statistic state and is driven by software. It is plug-and-play and adapted to data processing system.

Abstract: A circuit for preventing a computer from being powered on before a CPU of the computer has been properly installed, the circuit includes a power supply (70) for the computer, a controller (60) connected to the power supply configured for controlling the power supply, a switch (10) exposed outside the computer for convenient operation, and a switching device (Q1). The controller includes a terminal for receiving a computer startup signal. The switch is connected to the terminal of the controller for sending the computer startup signal to the controller when the switch is triggered, wherein when the computer startup signal is sent to the sensing terminal of the controller, the controller controls the power supply to provide power to the computer. The switching device includes a control terminal configured for sensing if the CPU is installed to control conduction of the switching device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conveying low level signals from a first circuit card to a second circuit card. The low level signals are encoded using a simple integer value N, and the low level signals are then communicated to the second circuit card as a sequence of N alternating values. A binary counter is used to generate the sequence of alternating values using the output of a single pin of the counter, although a second pin may be used to generate a clock signal. The invention allows all low level signals to be communicated in a robust yet simple way, minimizing the chance of spurious signals being generated upon hot insertion or extraction without complicated ad hoc solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing a manual. The system includes a memory device storing the manual, a port into which the memory device is inserted, and an electronic device provided with a display unit that displays the manual if the portable memory device is connected with the port. According to the system, manuals of various electronic devices are stored in a portable memory device, and the manuals are displayed on the electronic devices after the portable memory device is connected with the electronic devices whenever the manuals are necessary, so that users may more easily locate and refer to the manuals.

Abstract: An interface control device includes a first interface, a second interface, a third interface and an interface controller. The first interface is used to communicate with a first information processing device. The second interface is used to communicate with a second information processing device. The second information processing device is different from the first information processing device. The third interface is used to communicate with a controller of a data-storage medium. The interface controller performs an interface control including transmission of an indication signal through the first interface after the communications through the second interface with the second information processing device are established. The indication signal indicates the first information processing device of the fact that communications through the second interface have been established.

Abstract: An image display system includes a transmitter device that can transmit video data and audio data, and a receiver device that is connected via an HDMI cable to the transmitter device and that includes a display device that displays video based on video data from the transmitter device and an audio output device that outputs audio based on audio data from the transmitter device.

Abstract: Electronic device (10) comprising a control unit (11), a plurality of slots (15) for attaching/connecting sub-modules (12, 13), and means (15, 16, 17) for interconnecting the control unit (11) with those sub-modules (12, 13) that are attached/connected to the slots (15). The control unit (11) is capable of issuing commands in order to put the sub-modules (12, 13) in a by-pass mode, to read identification information from sub-modules (12, 13), write parameters into and/or read parameters from at least one of the sub-modules (12, 13), and to re-check whether the configuration of the electronic device (10) has changed by adding or removing a sub-module (12, 13).

Abstract: A system and method for providing DP capabilities on a computer system is provided. The DP capabilities include hot-add and hot-replace of various hardware components such as a processor, memory, and an I/O device to the computer system. The namespace of the hardware components on a computer system is separately created and stored. Some portion of the hardware components is prevented from being recognized during an initial boot. The unrecognized hardware components can be recognized by manipulation of the namespace modules.

Abstract: A memory system includes normal memory modules serially connected, and a backup memory module, and a switch circuit for replacing a failed one of the normal memory modules by the backup memory module. The switch circuit inserts the backup memory module in the serial connection of the normal memory modules excepting the failed normal memory module.

Abstract: A host controller includes a disconnection detection circuit 52 which compares a voltage level of a first differential signal DP of first and second differential signals DP and DM making up a differential signal pair corresponding to a given range in a frame packet with a comparison voltage CV, compares a voltage level of the second differential signal DM corresponding to a given range in the frame packet with the comparison voltage CV, and detects that a host and a device have been disconnected when the voltage level of at least one of the first and second differential signals DP and DM corresponding to the given range is higher than the comparison voltage CV.

Abstract: A system and method to enable teamed network environments during network based initialization sequences is disclosed. In one form of the disclosure, an information handling system can include a plurality of communication modules. One of the communication modules can be used to store a first teaming application. The information handling system can also include a processor configured to execute the first teaming application to provide a teamed network environment using the plurality of communication modules to load an operating system during a pre-boot initialization.

Abstract: It is recognized that an attached USB memory is an unanalyzable USB memory. Then, disconnect setting is made. A USB connection process is performed. A PC is instructed through a connection line to establish USB connection. The PC recognizes that the attached device is a USB-connected MFP. The PC acquires data control information of the MFP. The MFP then transfers, through the connection line, the data control information output from the USB memory.

Abstract: The method for reconfiguring an information processing apparatus includes: transmitting, by the system management unit, a register setting request to set a register included in the control unit to a predetermined value to all of the system boards within the information processing apparatus, when a system board is added to or removed from any of the partitions; setting, by the system board that receives the register setting request, a register of a control unit of the local system board to the predetermined value, if a partition to which the local system board belongs includes the system board to be added or removed; and ignoring, by the system board that receives the register setting request, the register setting request if the partition to which the local system board belongs does not include the system board to be added or removed.

Abstract: According to a method of data processing in a data processing system, a hardware management component receives from a software component of the data processing system a request for management access to a hardware component of the data processing system. In response to receipt of the request for management access, the hardware management component determines whether or not the request contains a parameter indicative of the intended scope of hardware components to be accessed in response to the request. In response to the request, the hardware management component selects a scope in accordance with the determination and issues one or more hardware management commands to one or more target hardware components of the data processing system within the selected scope, such that an operating state of the one or more target hardware components is modified.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to a user interface device for use in a pool/spa control system are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a user interface device for a pool/spa control system that includes a processor and a memory for storing application programs that are performed by the processor. The user interface device also includes a connection port for interfacing with an external storage medium having one or more digital images and a display interface. The user interface device is configured to display the one or more digital images from the external storage medium in the display interface when the user interface device is otherwise idle with respect to sending instructions to the pool/spa control system.

Abstract: A system for accessing a memory card is provided. The system includes a control unit having a control pin and a processor. The processor senses a card-insertion signal from a socket via the control pin for indicating whether the memory card has been inserted into the socket. The processor provides a power control signal via the control pin to supply an operating voltage to the memory card when the sensed card-insertion signal indicates that the memory card has been inserted into the socket. The processor detects whether a write protection function of the memory card is present via the control pin.

Abstract: A memory card reader is disclosed that includes a memory card slot adapted to allow insertion and extraction of a memory card, a universal serial bus port, and a communication controller adapted for electrical communication with a memory card in the memory card slot and the universal serial bus port. The communication controller is responsive to a command message received in a command descriptor packet at the universal serial bus port to query the memory card in the memory card slot for information uniquely identifying the memory card. The communication controller is further adapted to generate an information descriptor packet including information uniquely identifying the memory card for provision at the universal serial bus port.

Abstract: A switch is provided that detects when a computer expansion card has been added, removed or changed. During operation, the switch is held in a depressed position by contact with a card. If the card is removed, the switch is raised and, when a second card is installed in the same slot, the switch is again depressed. The depression of the switch triggers a change signal that initiates the introduction of power to the slot for a period of time long enough for the hypervisor to detect the new device. A delay between a release and subsequent depression of the switch is measured such that when the switch is released enough time is provided to firmly seat a different card in the planar device. Following the delay, power is supplied to the slot so that the hypervisor detects the card and updates the current configuration parameters.

Abstract: A computer interface kit is provided for communication between a computer and a peripheral device. The computer interface kit includes a computer interface device and a cable. The computer interface device includes an ExpressCard connector connected to the computer, an I/O interface unit connected to the peripheral device, and a circuit unit connecting the ExpressCard connector to the I/O interface unit. The cable electrically connects a DC port of the I/O interface unit with an internal USB port of the computer, whereby the I/O interface unit is powered by a DC voltage from the internal USB port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for converting, through add-on hardware and code, any of a variety of types and vintages of general purpose personal, laptop, or notebook computers to be an efficient, secure, dedicated system which run independently of the host system's resident operating system.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a modular data-processing component. Register information associated with a modular data-processing component to be tested at a test location can be identified and stored. The modular data-processing component can then be tested and removed from said test location. Thereafter, the register information can be retrieved and provided for use with testing of a new data-processing component at said test location without losing said register information during testing of multiple modular data-processing components. The register information can be, for example, PCI configuration data and the modular data-processing component can be an HAB.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a plug and play function, a digital image processing system using the same, and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes: a device searching module for searching a connected device; a connection state analyzing module for determining whether the searched device is previously connected by comparing the type of device and a previous connection state; a storing unit for storing information about the type and the previous connection state; an information managing module for searching detail information of data stored in the connected device; a reproducing function verifying module for determining whether the data stored in the connected external device is processable; and a plug and play module for displaying the determination result and a selection menu for controlling the connected device to perform a target function according to a user's input.

Abstract: A media utilization administering device reads a medium ID saved in a memory card, obtains last update time information indicating the respective times during a data transfer at specified time intervals, and stores state information including the medium ID and the last update time information in a utilization administration memory. The media utilization administering device also stores the last update time information as the state information in the memory card. A transfer resumption judging device compares the medium IDs and the last update time information included in the state information and saved in both the memory card attached and the utilization administration memory when the data transfer was started. If the state information held by both agree as a result of the comparison, a transfer resumption controlling device causes a data transfer processing device to resume the data transfer from a position on the data indicated by the last update time information.

Abstract: A rack mountable solid-state storage subsystem includes a plurality of interface units and a plurality of data storage modules to implement a mass storage device. Each of the interface units may be coupled to a plurality of communication ports for connection to a host server and to other interface units. Each data storage module may be detachably mated to a corresponding connector mounted to a motherboard. Each data storage module may also include a non-volatile flash memory storage and a volatile storage. The data storage modules may be partitioned into a plurality of portions, each coupled to a respective interface unit via the motherboard. Each portion of the data storage modules and the respective interface unit to which each portion is coupled may form a separate storage domain that is isolated from each other domain. The storage subsystem may also include redundant power supplies and backup power supplies.

Abstract: A system for a universal serial bus (USB) device to perform power configuration to operate with a USB host. A connection to the USB host is enabled. Then a high-power configuration is reported to the USB host and successful enumeration by the USB host is monitored for. If such enumeration is not forthcoming within a preset time, the connection to the USB host is disabled and re-enabled, and a low-power configuration is then reported to the USB host. Optionally, the system can further ramp up power usage until a preset high-power configuration is reached, or until there is voltage sag on the VBUS and then either ramp power usage back down or measure the sag and set to a calculated power usage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for dynamically turning off bus signals driven into a graphics processing unit (GPU) when the GPU is in a low power state. The GPU may be located on a graphics card mounted to a motherboard by a bus, such as a PCI-Express bus.

Abstract: Improved techniques for rendering a peripheral device removable (e.g., unpluggable) are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the peripheral device is rendered removable from a host computer without preparatory user actions. In effect, the peripheral device can be automatically prepared for removal in the event that its user removes (unplugs) it from its host computer. According to another aspect of the invention, the peripheral device includes a data storage device that is mounted to a file system of the other computer when the other computer desires access to the data storage device. Otherwise, the data storage device is normally unmounted so that if the peripheral device were to be removed (e.g., unplugged) no harm or damage to data stored therein would occur. These aspects of the invention can be utilized alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A component retention mechanism facilitates improved installation, retention and removal of hardware components (e.g., PCI cards) on a personal computer. The retention mechanism includes a locking component, support member, and release mechanism coupled to each other. The locking component can be a steel bar or other stiff item positioned proximate to multiple socket connectors on a circuit board. The locking component moves between unlocked and locked positions that mechanically and simultaneously unlock or lock in place multiple add-in cards inserted into the socket connectors. The support member moves and thereby facilitates movement of the locking component between locked and unlocked positions. The release mechanism facilitates movement of the support member and is actuated when a force is exerted by a user thereto. An associated slider housing coupled to the release mechanism and support member includes a fan, support shelves and a door that provides additional support to oversized PCI cards.

Abstract: A method of configuring a computer with an expansion card to process a basic input output system (BIOS) program thereof, includes performing an expansion card detecting program to detect and identify the expansion card by reading signals from an identifying finger of the expansion card, and loading a configuration program associated with the detected expansion card of the BIOS program.

Abstract: A data recorder includes an I/O port, a host processor and a cartridge including a media storage and a media processor connected to the media storage. The media processor includes media capability data which is specific to the media storage. A bus connector removable connects the cartridge to the recorder, and the media processor and the host processor are connected to the connector by a Pathway Bus. When the cartridge is connected to the connector, the media capability data is transmitted from the media processor to the host processor and the host processor communicates data with the media processor as a function of the received media capability data.

Abstract: A server system includes a plurality of printed circuit assemblies including at least one host processor card. A management card is coupled to the plurality of printed circuit assemblies. The management card is dedicated to monitoring and managing operation of the server system, including monitoring and managing on-line insertion and removal of the printed circuit assemblies in a compact peripheral component interconnect (cPCI) server system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a module and backplane are presented herein.

Abstract: A mass data storage system, which comprises: a controller for issuing and receiving signals to carry out memory operations; a motherboard comprising at least one first connector and providing signal pathways for establish a ring from the controller via each of the at least one first connector and back to the controller; and at least one non-volatile memory module comprising a second connector electrically connected to a chain of non-volatile memory devices, wherein mating of the second connector with a given one of the at least one first connector causes the chain of non-volatile memory devices to be inserted into the ring, thereby to allow the controller to carry out the memory operations on the non-volatile memory devices in the chain.

Abstract: Two computers are serially connected by a one-way cable connection allowing data to be transmitted from the first computer to the second computer, but making it physically impossible to transmit data from the second computer to the first computer. A serial port of the first computer has a transmitting pin in hard-wired communication with a receiving pin of a serial port of the second computer. The grounding pins of the respective serial ports of the first and second computers are hard-wired connected. The invention uses a two-conductor BNC coaxial connection cable and connecting adapters.

Abstract: Automated update to the firmware of the optimum version can be performed when a system board is exchanged, etc. When a system board is exchanged, a version change unit compares the version of the firmware of the system board with the version of the firmware of the corresponding partition stored in the partition-specific version storage unit. When they do not match, the version of the firmware of the system board is updated to the same version stored in the partition-specific version storage unit.

Abstract: A logic arrangement, method and computer program for reducing incidence of errors in a redundant path system during a process of attachment of a device to a running subsystem, comprises a control component for encapsulating the process of attachment of a device to a running subsystem; a disabling component for disabling a path interface; a testing component for testing for the presence of a usable data path across at least one further path interface; and an enabling component for enabling the at least one further path interface to accept communication with the device responsive to a positive outcome from the testing component; wherein the control component is adapted to permit operation after attachment of the device only if full redundancy is retained. A re-enabling component may re-enable any path interface or further path interface.

Abstract: A system for bus communication includes a first port coupled to a bus, comprising a first engine configured to respond to bus signals on the bus, according to a predetermined protocol. A second port couples to the bus, comprising a second engine configured to respond to bus signals according to the predetermined protocol. A control module couples to the second port and is configured to receive a port state signal, and to disable the second port based on the received port state signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining device criticality in a computer system comprising the steps of building a component hierarchy graph using computer configuration information; labeling the nodes of component hierarchy graph with redundancy attribute; traversing the component hierarchy graph; and determining whether the device loses an access path by inspecting the redundancy attributes within the component hierarchy graph. Furthermore, one of a plurality of severity levels is assigned to each identified affected resource based on predetermined criteria. The severity levels include a low severity level, a medium severity level, and a high severity level. Each severity level represents degree of impact to the computer system if functionality of the identified affected resource became unavailable.

Abstract: Hot plug modules comprising processors, memory, and/or I/O hubs may be added to and removed from a running computing device without rebooting the running computing device. The hot plug modules and computing device comprise hot plug interfaces that support hot plug addition and hot plug removal of the hot plug modules.

Abstract: An extended Secure-Digital (SD) card has a second interface that uses some of the SD-interface lines. A card-detection routine on a host can initially use the SD interface to detect extended capabilities and command the card to switch to using the second interface. The extended SD card can communicate with legacy SD hosts using just the SD interface, or extended SD cards using the second interface. Also an extended Universal-Serial Bus (EUSB) host enters a suspend mode rather than polling an EUSB device that is busy performing a memory or other operations. Power is saved since polling is avoided. The busy EUSB device sends a not-yet signal back to the EUSB host to instruct the host to enter the suspend mode. When the EUSB device is ready to continue transfer with the host, the EUSB device wakes up the host by sending a ready signal back to the host.

Abstract: Use of a control unit with PCI bus and SCSI bus with program equipment for the electronic semiconductor disk of a computing system. The electronic semiconductor disk includes a processor and semiconductor memory, selected from a group comprising dynamic memory, synchronous dynamic memory, static memory and flash type memory. A computing system with electronic semiconductor disk with processor, where this processor is connected by a PCI bus to a PCI adapter, which is linked through the PCI bus to a semiconductor memory, connected by the local bus to a processor. The PCI adapter comprises a unit of the programmable SCSI control unit, connected both to the interface of the PCI bus for communicating with the electronic semiconductor disk, and to the interface of the SCSI bus for communicating with the external computing system with the SCSI control unit.

Abstract: A mixed storage device includes a set of storage units, each potentially based on a different storage technology, such as NAND flash drive, NOR flash drive, magnetic hard drive, magneto-optical drives, optical drives, etc. The mixed storage device comprises a host bus connector that is used to connect to a peripheral bus that facilitates communication to a processor of a device (such as a PC) and a controller. The controller manages a NAND flash storage device, a NOR flash storage device, an optical storage device, a hard drive and other storage components plugged into or integrated with the mixed storage device.

Abstract: A host implement a method for controlling a dynamic transition of the host from a current operation mode to a target operation mode. The method involves the host receiving an operation mode transition request to transition a logical representation of a storage subsystem as maintained by the host from the current operation mode to the target operation mode, and the host reconfiguring the logical representation of the storage subsystem to the target operation mode based on the operation mode transition request exclusive of a re-IPLing of an operating system of the host.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for dynamic virtual frame buffer management. At least one embodiment of the present invention dynamically enables or disables the use of a virtual frame buffer, which is not under control of graphics hardware of a data processing system, without restarting the graphical user interface system (e.g., the window system) of the data processing system. For example, in response to the addition or removing of a frame buffer that is under control of a graphics controller (e.g., due to the activation or deactivation of the graphics controller, or the hot plug-in or hot disconnection of the graphics controller), the virtual frame buffer is disabled or enabled respectively.