Abstract: A method, system, and connector interface for transferring status information between a media player and an accessory. The method includes determining, by the accessory, when a button event occurs; and transmitting, by the accessory, at least one button status command to the media player, where the one or more button status commands comprise a context-specific button status command and at least one command associated with a particular media type. According to the method and system disclosed herein, the media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands in a variety of environment such as within a connector interface system environment to facilitate the transfer of status information.

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.

Abstract: A processing system that interacts with external devices has a processor, a memory, and a controller. The memory stores templates that provide access protocol information about the external devices. When an external device is to be accessed, the operating system, which is stored in the memory, instructs the processor to perform the access to the external device. The processor puts the information about the external device on the address portion of the system bus where it is received and interpreted by the controller. The controller in turn retrieves the template for the external device as indicated by the information that was received. After retrieving the template, the controller outputs the information, in the manner indicated by the template, on an external interface bus where the external device is also coupled. The external device then responds according to the information that the controller put on the external interface bus.

Abstract: A peripheral interface device that is adaptable into a computer system and which provides a communication interface for a plurality of external devices. The peripheral interface device comprises: a plurality of transfer control logic (TCL) modules, wherein each TCL module provides a dedicated interface for an associated one of the external devices, and wherein multiple TCL modules can communicate in parallel with their associated external devices; and a dual port memory (DPM) device that is in communication with an input/output bus of the computer system, wherein the DPM device can selectively communicate with each of the plurality of TCL modules.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus which also enables the data input/output apparatus to be executed at a high speed to a small electronic apparatus having a limited installation space by using an IC card interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed including the steps of submitting a print job to a network printer and identifying a specific printer controller governing the print job. The method further includes loading a set of identifiers respective to a specific printer controller and selecting from the set a respective identifier corresponding to the type of print job employed on the specific printer controller. The selected identifier is used to issue the predetermined type of notification from the controller.

Abstract: When a peripheral LSI has a memory space which is other than the memory space of a CPU, access is made without one of the memory spaces being aware of the other memory spaces. A flexible bus controller BSC makes address translation according to information on the relation between addresses of both memory spaces. The invention assures wider latitude in CPU type selection and makes it easy to reuse an existing program or develop a new program.

Abstract: An intelligent, modular server management system for coupling a series of remotely located computers to one or more user stations allowing for selective access of the remotely located computers. A centralized computer matrix switching system is provided to enable a computer user station to access and operate a remotely located computer in a stable environment and transmit analog signals through the switching system over an extended range. The centralized computer matrix switching system receives the input from the computer user station or the remotely located computer, including the keyboard, video monitor and mouse signals, and transmits the signals as though the computer user station was directly coupled to the remotely located computer.

Abstract: An RF tag 25 is incorporated in a mouse 20, and an RF tag reader 15 is mounted on the main body side of a computer 10. When using the mouse 20 to a specified computer 10, a user moves the mouse close to the reader 15 to read identification information (ID) of the mouse 20, which is included in the RF tag 25. On the main body side of the computer 10, the mouse 20 is designated in accordance with the read ID and communication with the mouse 20 is set. There may be a case where a plurality of computers and peripheral equipment intermingle, but, by making joint use of the ID reader 15 in a short-range, a corresponding relationship between the main body of the computer 10 and the wireless equipment 20 is made clear.

Abstract: Devices, softwares and methods enable SIP devices to operate in H.323 networks, and devices, softwares and methods enable H.323 devices to operate in SIP networks. Messages that initiate communication from a first protocol are translated into the appropriate messages of the second, responded to, and the replies are translated back into the first. Routing by the legacy network is thus seamlessly exploited.

Abstract: A modified universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) device is provided with an auxiliary high speed parallel channel using supplementary FIFO buffers for the exchange of data. The auxiliary parallel channel is separate from the normal lower speed serial channel which is retained in unmodified form. The retained serial channel provides full compatibility with and support for the National Semiconductor 16550 standard, while the auxiliary parallel channel allows for rapid transfer of large data blocks, such as is needed for a PCMCIA wireless data card for example. The key advantages of this approach lie both in the data transfer speed and in the reduced amount of development time needed to implement a UART interface for communicating between a host computer and a new subsystem. This is because all the UART functions, except large volume data transfer, can be carried out over the standard serial channel using standard device drivers.

Abstract: A portable data storage device, e.g., a digital video camcorder (DVC), which stores environment setting data including time data and has an interface which enables a mutual data transmission with an external host computer. Video and audio data are transmitted and received between the DVC and the computer through the interface, and various control data for controlling the DVC and environment setting data are also transmittable from the computer to the DVC. Where the computer transmits the environment setting data to the DVC, the DVC stores the received data in a storage portion. Accordingly, without complicated manipulation of a plurality of keys on the DVC, a user easily inputs data related to the environment setting of the DVC from the computer. Where time data is provided to the DVC from a time standard, accurate current time according to the time standard is recorded on a magnetic tape during recording.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and apparatus for implementing multiple transaction translators that share a single memory in a serial hub are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) hub may include a shared memory device, at least one faster data handler coupled to transfer data between the shared memory device and a faster port, and several slower handlers each coupled to transfer data between the shared memory device and a respective one of several slower ports.

Abstract: A device is presented including a host controller capable of attaching a quantity of queue heads to a frame list. The quantity of queue heads are attached to the frame list before any transaction descriptors where split-isochronous transaction descriptors are supported.

Abstract: A mini PCI module includes a mini PCI card and a mini PCI slot for the mini PCI card to be inserted into. The mini PCI card includes 124 signal pins and an antenna pin set. The mini PCI slot includes 124 signal connection ends corresponding to the 124 signal pins, and an antenna connection end set corresponding to the antenna pin set for electrically connecting to an antenna set.

Abstract: An integrated circuit implementing a storage-shelf router, used in combination with path controller cards and optionally with other storage-shelf routers, to interconnect SATA disks within a storage shelf or disk array to a high-bandwidth communications medium, such as an FC arbitrated loop. Various embodiments of the present invention provide a tunneling mechanism through the storage-shelf interface provided by one or more storage-shelf routers within a storage shelf to enable external processing entities to directly access various components within the storage shelf. In one embodiment of the present invention, a WRITE-BUFFER command and a READ-BUFFER command are added to the command interface supported by storage-shelf router. These commands are exchanged via the FCP protocol over the fiber channel in the same manner that SCSI commands are packaged within the FCP protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a robust and configurable mobile computer architecture with navigation computational capabilities. The present invention further provides a bus network which allows for an efficient and durable Input/Output (I/O) management system. The I/O management system has configurable connections to allow for modular addition, expansion, or replacement of navigation, crash detection, and communication line replacement units (LRUs). Additional I/O device connections allow several modes of input into the computational system. The present invention is a single, self-contained unit and provides an accessible user interface to the computer system.

Abstract: When an active data copy process relative to a logical storage device is performed without involving a computer, an access permission/rejection of the computer to the logical storage device is checked by referring to a correspondence between WWN of the computer and a logical storage device identifier LUN to thereby determine whether an access to a copy source logical storage device and a copy destination logical storage device is permitted or not. It is therefore possible to prevent an outflow of illegal data from a storage subsystem to be caused by an active copy instruction command.

Abstract: A card connection adaptor is provided which is used for connecting, to a connector of a card slot compliant with a first standard, a card compliant with a second standard. The adaptor includes: a first connector compliant with the first standard and adapted to be electrically connected to the connector of the card slot; a second connector compliant with the second standard; and signal conversion circuitry for performing signal conversion between a first-standard-compliant signal and a second-standard-compliant signal. A card retaining space for retaining the second-standard-compliant card inserted therein is formed in a housing which holds the first connector, the second connector and the signal conversion circuit. The card retaining space has a card insertion port which opens generally perpendicularly to an insertion direction in which the card connection adaptor is inserted into the card slot.

Abstract: An interface block provides an interface between an internal bus of an integrated circuit and a socket of a logic block. The interface block includes a synchronization module that performs any needed synchronization between a clock domain of the internal bus and a clock domain of the socket of the logic block. A translation module provides translation of block encoding of the data for data transferred between the internal bus and the socket of the logic block. A queue module buffers data flowing between the internal bus and the socket of the logic block. A driver module handles low level and electrical drive specifications of the internal bus.

Abstract: A communication device which transmits/receives data to/from a host device connected thereto via a bus having a signal line and a power line. A communication controller which is always supplied with power as long as a bus is connected thereto and a MCU are so arranged as to use different power, and only supply of power to the MCU is interrupted when a connected host device comes into stand-by state. In case the connected host device resumes from the stand-by state, the communication controller responds to communication from the host device until the MCU resumes control of data transmission/reception with the host device.

Abstract: A cordless modem system where a mobile station unit (MSU) is located in the computer and a base station unit (BSU) is connected to the telephone line. A radio frequency (RF) link is developed between the two units to allow a cordless connection. A series of commands are used between the two units to allow the MSU to request a channel, the BSU to grant a channel, the BSU to notify of a ring, and the MSU to request the BSU to go off hook. In addition, there is preferably a command sequence to allow authorization of a particular MSU or BSU. There are two full duplex channels in each MSU and BSU. This allows multiple BSUS and MSUS to be utilized in a small area. Communications between the two units are secure based on address values for each 15 unit contained in the various commands.

Abstract: Points of sale or service. According to various embodiment, a point of sale or service includes a register, a peripheral and a protocol converter. The protocol converter communicatively couples the register and the peripheral. The register may communicate with the protocol converter using a first protocol while the peripheral communicates with protocol converter using a second protocol. The register and the protocol converter may communicate using TCP/IP. A second peripheral may communicate with the register using the first protocol and without the aid of the protocol converter. The point of sale or service may further include a processor communicatively coupled to the protocol converter, for accessing the first peripheral.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting character interactive input/output operation in a half-duplex block-mode environment including a workstation and a server. Keystrokes at the workstation received into an auto enter, non-display entity on the workstation display are automatically transferred as entered from the workstation to a server application which processes the keystroke and responds in a manner appropriate to the context of the application.

Abstract: An interchangeable power over Ethernet module having a plurality of configurations, and a single unified pin out, the power over Ethernet module comprising: at least one circuitry managing the supply of power over Ethernet to at least one port; a first set of connections associated with a first one of the plurality of configurations, the first one of the plurality of configuration comprising supervisory control circuitry, the first set of connections being operably connected to the supervisory control circuitry; the first set of connections being connected together in a second one of the plurality of configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a transceiver circuit. The transceiver circuit comprises a plurality of bus input/outputs (I/Os). The transceiver circuit may be configured to directly couple (i) an analog signal to the bus I/Os when the bus I/Os are in a first state and (ii) a plurality of first digital signals to the bus I/Os when the bus I/Os are in a second state.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, where in one embodiment of the method metadata related to a packet may be allocated in a host memory by a protocol processor, where the host memory may be comprised in a host that may be capable of being coupled to a network adapter. The metadata may be copied from the host memory to an adapter memory that may be associated with the network adapter. The copied metadata may be processed by the protocol processor.

Abstract: A method for a display unit displaying video signals sent by a video source, the method comprising the steps of communicating display unit information stored in a memory of the display unit to the video source, wherein the display information includes identifying information of the display unit; receiving a signal from the video source, wherein the signal is generated based on at least a portion of the display unit information; and wherein the display unit is capable of bi-directionally communicating with the video source.

Abstract: A hot-pluggable video architecture system is disclosed. The system includes one or more computers, where each of the computers includes a system bus for carrying signals, such as video bus cycles, a hot-pluggable bus, and a hot-pluggable host controller coupled to the system bus and the hot-pluggable bus. According to the present invention, the hot-pluggable host controller includes a video resource controller for reading and converting the video bus cycles on the system bus into signals having a format of the hot-pluggable bus. An external hot-pluggable video subsystem is further provided that can be removably coupled to the hot-pluggable bus of any one of the computers for processing the signals into a format suitable for a display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer for receiving a removable data storage device comprising a case having an internal motherboard with a CPU mounted thereon; at least one substantially rectangular opening on the case; at least one slot each provided within the opening for communicating therewith; and a USB port provided at a bottom of the slot opposite to the opening for being electrically connected to the motherboard; wherein the data storage device is insertable into the slot via the opening for connecting an I/O port of the micro drive and the USB port together. By utilizing this, the CPU on the motherboard is able to read data from the micro drive or write data into the micro drive via the coupled USB port and I/O port.

Abstract: A storage system 1 includes: plural protocol transformation units 10 that transform, to a protocol within the system, a read/write protocol of data exchanged with servers 3 or hard disk groups 2; plural cache control units 21 that include cache memory units 111 storing data read/written with the servers 3 or the hard disk groups 2 and which include the function of controlling the cache memory units 111; and an interconnection network 31 that connects the protocol transformation units 10 and the cache control units 21. In this storage system 1, the plural cache control units 21 are divided into plural control clusters 70, control of the cache memory units 111 is independent inside the control clusters, and a system management unit 60 that manages, as a single system, the plural protocol transformation units 10 and the plural control clusters 70 is connected to the interconnection network 30.

Abstract: A hearing aid programming system with a host computer system including a program for programming a hearing aid. The host computer system includes a first communication interface for sending and receiving control and data signals. A hearing aid programming interface device is connected to the communication interface of the host computer system and includes a second communication interface for sending and receiving control and data signals. The hearing aid programming interface device also includes circuitry for electrically isolating the hearing aid to be programmed from the host computer. The first communication interface may be PCMCIA, USB, RS-232, SCSI or IEEE 1394 interfaces, which are arranged to send and receive serial data and control signals to the hearing aid programming interface device. The first communication interface may also be a wireless communications interface which wirelessly sends and receives control and data signals with the hearing aid programming interface device.

Abstract: A computing system is provided that includes a plurality of interconnected components. The components include a processing subsystem, an input subsystem, an output subsystem, a storage subsystem, and a power subsystem. Subsets of the plurality of components may be rearranged and interconnected in various configurations to form different computing systems.

Abstract: A data storage and processing device is reversibly attachable to a selected member of a set of appliances. The device includes a data storage medium and a processor. Each appliance includes appropriate functional components, a power source and a user interface. The device receives power from the attached appliance. Commands for operating the attached appliance are stored in the data storage medium and are executed by the processor in response to user instructions received from the attached appliance in order to operate the functional components. Preferably, the device receives power only from the attached appliance, and the functional components are operated, in response to the user instructions, only by the device's processor.

Abstract: A programmable controller has a multi-purpose processor such as an MPU and an application specific control device such as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). When the MPU requests the ASIC to execute a user program and the ASIC is activated, the MPU executes an event process while the ASIC executes the requested user program. When the MPU requests the ASIC to execute a DMA transfer process in an input/output refresh process and the ASIC is activated, the MPU executes an event process while the ASIC executes the requested DMA transfer process.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically identifying the type of communication interface used to couple a portable computer system with a second computer system, and for selecting the form of an application that is used with the type of interface. For example, a debugger application is collaboratively executed on the computer systems over the interface. When entering the debugger mode, software executed on the portable computer system identifies the type of interface by reading a resistance value of a pin. After determining the type of interface, the form of the debugger used with the interface is automatically selected. A similar process is followed for other applications that depend on the type of interface. The user does not have to manually identify the type of interface. Instead, in response to a command that is independent of the type of interface, the proper form of the application is automatically selected.

Abstract: A peripheral data storage subsystem is for use with a computer system. The computer system has a host PCI bus and a serial PCI host bus adapter coupled to the host PCI bus. The peripheral data storage subsystem includes a plurality of data storage devices and a data storage device to parallel PCI interface that is coupled to each of the data storage devices, a parallel PCI to serial PCI interface coupled to the data storage device to parallel PCI interface and a serial PCI link interconnect. The serial PCI link-interconnect couples the parallel PCI to serial PCI interface of the peripheral data storage subsystem to the serial PCI host bus adapter of the computer system.

Abstract: An input/output subsystem is configured as a plurality of input/output subsystem images, each of which appears to a program as an independent input/output subsystem. An input/output subsystem image is identified by an input/output subsystem image identifier, which is used by various programs to designate the particular input/output subsystem image for which an I/O operation is to be performed. An operating system is provided with access to a plurality of input/output subsystem images of the input/output subsystem. One or more controls are provided to the operating system image to enable the operating system image to access the plurality of input/output subsystem images.

Abstract: An interface card includes data transmission routes which allow for data transmission in a plurality of data transmission modes and a mode selection switch for selecting a data transmission mode from the plurality of modes. With the interface card, a user is able to select an optimal data transmission mode for the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a household appliance, particularly a washer or dishwasher, having an I/O control for programs and a machine unit comprising a central control that controls assigned functional units according to the selected program. The I/O control and the machine control achieve independence from one another in reference to their design and control, and an interface for the transmission of program-specific commands is provided between the I/O control and the machine unit, wherein the program selection criteria entered by the operator into the I/O control or the information received by the remote transmission is converted into assigned program-specific commands, and the incoming program commands are received by the machine unit and converted into functional commands for the functional units of the machine unit.

Abstract: A method of automatic configuration of field replaceable units in a system includes steps of accessing configuration management system (CMS) class information from a field replaceable unit (FRU) and using the accessed information for deriving an initial configuration for the FRU. The FRU can contain information defining one or more configuration management system classes for the FRU. One or more management classes may be identified for managing one or more resources for the FRU. The CMS class information is then be used to derive the initial configuration information for the FRU for managing the device(s) of that FRU. The CMS class information can be held in non-volatile memory in the FRU. This information can be read on inserting the FRU into the system and can be used to establish the initial configuration prior to full integration of the FRU into the system.

Abstract: A disk array controller detects whether each drive it is connected to is an ATA drive or a SCSI drive, and communicates with that disk drive using the corresponding protocol. Preferably, the disk array controller supports both the Serial ATA interface specification and the Serial Attached SCSI interface specification, allowing either or both types of disk drives to be included within a RAID or other disk array configuration. The disk array controller may be incorporated into a storage server having hot swap drive carriers that accommodate both types of disk drives.

Abstract: A method and system processing non-data frames in a host bus adapter with a main processor and a first processor coupled to a host system and fibre channel is provided. The method includes, examining non-data frames; storing non-data frame information; notifying the first processor of non-data frames; and processing non-data frames without generating an interrupt for the main processor. The host bust adapter includes a fibre channel module (“FPM”) with a state machine, wherein the fibre channel module receives and examines the non-data frames and stores non-data frame information in a FIFO. The FPM notifies the first processor that the non-data frames have been received.

Abstract: An implementation of an improved Multiple-Original-Output (“Mopying”) technology for multifunction devices (MFDs), described herein, enables a user at a computer to fully control and access the functions of a Mopy-enabled MFD. With this technology, the user fully controls the source (e.g. data and paper) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. Similarly, the user fully controls the destination (e.g. paper and communications) for each Mopy of a Mopy job. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A device may include an upstream port and several downstream ports configured to transfer data at a different data transfer rate than the upstream port. The device may also include several downstream data handlers, each coupled to a respective one of the downstream ports, and an upstream data handler coupled to the upstream port. The data handlers are configured to implement a USB protocol. The upstream data handler is configured to provide data received via the upstream port to each of the downstream data handlers. Accordingly, the upstream data handler is shared between the various downstream data handlers.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic apparatus which also enables the data input/output apparatus to be executed at a high speed to a small electronic apparatus having a limited installation space by using an IC card interface.

Abstract: A hardware module for incorporating an electronic unit into an ad-hoc network has a unit to operate a Java virtual machine which supports Java RMI and Jini. The hardware module has at least one interface to a communications interface on the electronic unit. Jini services are generated with interface stubs for the hardware of the electronic unit. The hardware module has at least one interface to a local area network.

Abstract: A bi-directional reflective memory channel between a pair of storage controllers is used to maintain a mirrored copy of each storage controller's native buffer contents within the buffer of the other storage controller. To maintain such mirrored copies, buffer write operations that fall within a reflective memory segment of one storage controller are automatically reflected across this channel to the other storage controller for execution, and vice versa. The write operations are preferably transmitted across the reflective memory channel using a protocol that provides for error checking, acknowledgements, and retransmissions. This protocol is preferably implemented entirely in automated circuitry, so that the mirrored copies are maintained without any CPU intervention during error-free operation. When a failover occurs, the surviving storage controller uses the mirrored copy of the failed storage controller's native buffer contents to assume control over the failed storage controller's disk drives.

Abstract: A user configurable, modular port expansion system allows the user of a host system such as a USB-enabled personal computer to customize a desired configuration of one or more peripheral device modules without the use of cables between modules. The peripheral device modules are physically and electrically connectable to each other side-by-side between a hub end module and a power end module in any sequence so that there can be provided, within the limits of the host port specification, virtually any number of selected, expanded functions in any combination. The peripheral device modules may include, by way of example, a standard parallel DB-25 port module, a two-port serial PS/2 module, a two-port serial DB-9 module, a four- or seven-port USB hub, an RJ-11 Ethernet LAN module, and an RJ-11 modem module.

Abstract: The present invention is a PTO-logic-configuration system for enabling the custom configuration of at least a portion of the PTO-control/monitoring logic for a PTO-monitoring/control computer through the utilization of standardized PTO-control specific software elements, data types, and/or data values. A PTO-logic-configuration system according to the present invention comprises PTO-logic-configuration software and prescribed methods of utilizing the PTO-logic-configuration software to configure PTO-monitoring/control logic according to which the PTO-monitoring/control computer will operate. A PTO-logic-configuration system according to the present invention also includes operating instructions for the PTO-logic-configuration system and means for enabling communication of operating instructions for the PTO-logic-configuration system to a user of the system.