Abstract: A method, storage medium, and system for a managed audio bell/intercom including a controller and audio devices connected by an industry standardized network, wherein the controller contains logic to distribute action via the network to the audio devices.

Abstract: A connector interface system a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Heretofore, all these features have not been implemented in a connector. Therefore, this would allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features.

Abstract: A system for connecting a console device to computers comprising a graphic user interface menu apparatus for controlling the computers. The system comprises a user-side circuit, a central crosspoint switch, a plurality of computer-side circuits, a menu generating unit and a first switching device. The user-side circuit coupled to the console device receives electronic signals produced by the keyboard and cursor control device and creates a data packet. The central crosspoint switch is coupled to the user-side circuits, receives the data packets and routes the data packets. The computer-side circuits coupled to the central crosspoint switch and the computers receive the data packets from the central crosspoint switch for supplying the data packets to the computers. The menu generating unit generates a menu to be displayed. The first switching device alternately outputs a video signal of the menu data and a video signal from the computers to the video monitor according to a vertical synchronization signal.

Abstract: An interface for car-mounted devices includes hand data detecting means for determining devices to be controlled among the car-mounted devices based upon hand data corresponding to an operator hand state, voice recognizing means for determining how to change the state of the devices to be controlled based upon an operator voice utterance, and control signal-forming means for forming control signals for the devices to be controlled relying upon the devices to be controlled determined by said hand data detecting means and upon the content of change determined by said voice recognizing means.

Abstract: A plug-and-play system comprises an agent component that includes instructions for enabling a first device and a mobile device to be compatible upon detecting a connection between the first device and the second device. A transfer component pushes the agent component from the mobile device to the first device, the agent component executes upon reaching the first device. For example, the mobile device can be a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal organizer, and the like, and the first device can be a personal computer, a laptop computer, or a mobile device.

Abstract: A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) device has a USB plug that is centered over a center-line of a circuit board. The circuit board with flash memory and a USB flash controller has metal pads that a USB connector is soldered to. The USB connector has a rear step that is about half the height of the USB connector plug. Contacts on the rear step are soldered to the metal pads on the circuit board so that the USB connector is centered around the edge of the circuit board. The overall height of the flash device can be reduced since the bulky USB connector is not attached off-center to the circuit board, but is attached at the half-height rear step. Both the USB connector and the circuit board share the same center line, allowing a printed-circuit board assembly (PCBA) to be symmetric around the center line.

Abstract: A keyboard, video monitor and mouse (KVM) Universal Serial Bus (USB) Internet protocol (IP) server interface pod (SIP) allows access to selected ones of a plurality of servers by a remotely located keyboard, video monitor and mouse. In addition, remote mounting of a USB device to the selected server is also possible. A digital KVM USB switch may be used for routing the remotely located keyboard, video monitor, mouse and USB device to the KVM USB IP SIP. The digital KVM USB switch also is coupled to a KVM USB IP interface. The KVM USB IP interface is located with and connected to the remotely located keyboard, video monitor, mouse and USB device. The KVM USB IP interface may be coupled to the digital KVM USB switch over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or Internet.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a data storage medium, for example one or more flash memory modules, and a direct interface, to the data storage medium, that supports a file system protocol. Preferably, the data storable device also includes a physical communication interface such as a USB interface or a wireless interface, a user interface and a power source. The scope of the invention also includes appliances that include such data storage devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in communication module (1) and a method for communicating using a plug-in communication module (1) to simplify the communication interfacing of assemblies and devices. A communication module (1) is proposed with means (2) for storing and executing software components (3, 4, 5) with communication functionality, with first connection means (7) for direct electrical and mechanical coupling to interfaces (8) of at least a first assembly (9), with access means (6) for accessing local communication means (10) of the first assembly (9) and with second connection means (11) for electrical coupling to interfaces (12) of at least a second assembly (13). Advantageous embodiments relate in particular to a communication module, with which at least one of the software components (3, 4, 5) is provided to execute communication tasks using Internet technologies and/or at least one of the software components (3, 4, 5) is a Web server or is provided to execute Web services.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal host-to-host intelligent controller that facilitates the transfer of electronic data from one electronic data processing (EDP) device to another. The invention includes a printed circuit board (PCB) contained in a housing and may also include a removable memory module. The PCB contains drivers and software code that automatically load and execute on said EDP devices when the PCB is connected to the EDP devices. The drivers and software code facilitate the direct transfer of data from storage on one EDP device to storage on the other EDP device. The controller includes at least two EDP connectors coupled to the PCB. These connectors can take the form of high-speed data cables and static PCB connectors as well as wireless antennae. The controller can also be incorporated into one or both EDP devices.

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: A switch/network adapter port (“SNAP”) for clustered computers employing multi-adaptive processor (“MAP™”, a trademark of SRC Computers, Inc.) elements in a dual in-line memory module (“DIMM”) or Rambus™ in-line memory module (“RIMM”) format to significantly enhance data transfer rates over that otherwise available through use of the standard peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) bus. Particularly disclosed is a microprocessor based computer system utilizing either a DIMM or RIMM physical format processor element for the purpose of implementing a connection to an external switch, network, or other device. In a particular embodiment, connections may be provided to either the PCI, accelerated graphics port (“AGP”) or system maintenance (“SM”) bus for purposes of passing control information to the host microprocessor or other control chips.

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.

Abstract: A storage system has a plurality of control modules for controlling a storage device for accesses from a mainframe host and an open system host respectively supporting different protocols. An open channel adaptor and a mainframe channel adaptor are separately provided. The mainframe channel adaptor is connected to a plurality of control managers via front routers and performs parallel write access from the mainframe host for mirroring. In the write processing for the mainframe host, the connection is maintained until the completion of processing. In particular, even in case of a write miss, disk read processing can be performed in parallel, thus contributing to the high-speed processing in case of the write miss. Further, for an access from the open system host, a high throughput can be obtained.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus comprises: a computer operable to execute a control program, a first memory storing the control program, and a second memory storing the produced data. The control program includes: a platform program for inputting data from a hardware device and storing inputted data as first data in a first section of the second memory, an application program for processing for a vehicle control in accordance with an AP interface, and a coupling processing program. The coupling processing program performs mediation in the processing using the application program by converting the first data provided from the processing using the platform program to second data in accordance with the PF interface so that the second data is adapted to the AP interface. The application program executes vehicle control by using the second data. The platform program performs an operation at different predetermined intervals than the coupling program.

Abstract: A peripheral hardware device may be provided for a computing system including a software operating system. The peripheral hardware device may include functional electronics configured to provide functionality for the peripheral hardware device. The peripheral hardware device may also include interface electronics configured to provide communication between the functional electronics and the software operating system, wherein the interface electronics are configured to provide both a virtual network interface and a virtual serial interface with the software operating system. Related computing systems are also discussed.

Abstract: A method for reading and writing non-standard register of standard interface device is disclosed. An input no-available parameter of standard command is set as an executive parameter. While receiving the standard command the standard interface device detects executive parameter for reading corresponding value of non-standard register and saving the value into an output register corresponding to output no-available parameter in response to the standard command. Then users can read the value of the output register to learn value of non-standard register. Moreover, by setting the input no-available parameters of standard command as executive parameter and data parameter, standard command with executive parameter and data parameter is sent into the standard interface device. Thus the standard interface device detects the executive parameter so as to write the data parameter into the non-standard register corresponding to the executive parameter.

Abstract: A deterministic microcontroller includes a plurality of blocks of cache memories formed on the same integrated circuit as the microprocessor unit. A corresponding plurality of hardware contexts for the microcontroller is provided by the plurality of sets of hardware registers. A context manager controls the selection of the hardware registers such that contexts are changed within one bus cycle and a plurality of hardware contexts are provided. The deterministic microcontroller includes a configurable input/output interface that is programmable to handle any one of a plurality of interfaces that embedded applications might have, including communication protocols and bus interfaces, data acquisition from multiple sensors and actuators, and controls of various motors.

Abstract: A streaming direct memory access (DMA) engine is disclosed. The streaming DMA engine includes several power reduction capabilities. A controller throttles the DMA engine according to the system throughput requirement and the system processor operation state. The DMA engine holds off a new read request to the memory if the data present in the DMA engine requires retransmission. The DMA engine holds off a new write request to the memory if the data present in the DMA engine is corrupted, until the corrupted data is discarded.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and program for communicating with a device. A kernel module is executed in memory and at least one kernel thread is executed in the memory to handle calls to device driver functions for the kernel module. The at least one kernel thread executes calls to device driver functions for the kernel module running in a kernel context.

Abstract: Systems and methods for augmenting the functionality of a device using a virtual machine monitor is provided. In general, in one aspect, a computer implemented method is provided. The computer implemented method includes launching a virtual machine monitor on a host device and for a peripheral device. The virtual machine monitor comprises one or more software components capable of performing actions including connecting a peripheral device to a host device, where the peripheral device memory includes peripheral device specific software and one or more available software bundles. The software components can launch the virtual machine monitor for the peripheral device and execute the peripheral device-specific software and an available software bundle on the host device. In one implementation, the computer implemented method includes connecting a peripheral device to a host device, where the peripheral device memory includes peripheral device-specific software that is executed on the host device.

Abstract: A switching device for RS-232 serial port and USB serial port is adapted to simultaneously provide a RS-232 serial port and a USB serial port for a micro-processor with a single USART. The switching device can automatically switch to select either of the RS-232 serial port or the USB serial port as a main interface for communicating with other external computer facilities and related peripheries. When one of the serial ports is selected as the main communication interface to communicate with one of external computers, the other one serial port thereof still can transmit signals from the micro-processor to another computer through its transmitting data pin (TXD).

Abstract: Symbols are prepared for transmission by representing each bit of the symbols by a cluster of consecutive bits, identical to the bit, in a transmission bit sequence. The transmission bit sequence is transmitted at a particular bit rate. A reception bit sequence of received bits is received at the particular bit rate, and the reception bit sequence is identical to the transmission bit sequence in the absence of errors. The symbols are reconstructed from the reception bit sequence of received bits by identifying boundaries of clusters of received bits in the reception bit sequence and selecting an inner bit of each of the clusters of received bits as a bit of a reconstructed symbol. The boundary identification involves comparing neighboring received bits. The transmission of the transmission bit sequence and reception of the reception bit sequence may conform to the Peripheral Components Interconnect (PCI) Express Specifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing configuration information to terminals and network components within a network. In particular, a specialist is no longer necessary in order to exchange a terminal or a component for the network. The network user simply exchanges the terminal or the network component and places a configuration storage adapter in a serial interface of the replaced terminal or component, whereby the newly inserted terminal or network component is automatically provided with stored configuration information and the network can then be started.

Abstract: In a method for controlling peripheral apparatuses, as well as a correspondingly fashioned peripheral apparatus and an apparatus that is fashioned for use with peripheral apparatuses, as well as in a system, an object registry of a known CANopen interface is augmented by at least one license object through which the peripheral apparatus is controlled and in which control data for controlling the peripheral apparatus are stored and/or administered. A mechanism for access to a license object is provided.

Abstract: A system and method in a fibre channel environment supporting serial ATA devices. In one embodiment, the system and method includes a network having a plurality of servers and a plurality of fiber-channel devices connected to each other through the network. In another embodiment, a command arbitrator answers at least one non-media access command received from a transmitting server. Furthermore, a buffer may store a first consecutive write command for a first time interval and a second consecutive write command for a second time interval if the first time interval has not expired in one embodiment. In addition, a reset command may be generated if at least a first and a nth retry request for a failed command is unsuccessful, in one embodiment.

Abstract: A dedicated processing module includes an input for data to be processed and an output for processed data. A block input and a block output are also included. A processing component for the module performs a digital processing operation on the data present at the data input and applies the processed data at the data output. The processor may further generate a block request. A control device within the module reproduces, at the block output, a block request applied to the block input or generated by the processing component. The control device thus may operate to block the application of processed data at the data output upon receipt of a block request at the block input. Two or more dedicated processing modules may be connected in series with each other to form a processing flow chain with the data output of one module connected to the data input of a subsequent module. Additionally, the block output of the subsequent module is connected to the block input of the preceding module.

Abstract: A message processing scheme capable of realizing both a portability and a unified way of handling and managing e-mails of a given user is disclosed. The collective message processing and the unified message accesses are realized by storing and managing messages from a plurality of message delivery servers in the message processing device that is unique to the user. All mails destined to the user are collected at the message processing device regardless of a current location of the user, so that the user only needs to view mails on this message processing device.

Abstract: A communications system is arranged for serially chaining multiple portable pendant peripherals to a portable host device. The system enables multiple low power input/output peripherals to communicate over a bi-directional data line with a portable host device such as a PDA or cellular phone. Fixed-length data packets are employed in a store-and-forward approach between the host device and the pendant peripherals. An upstream pendant system component controls a unidirectional clock signal that regulates data transfers to or from the host device and a downstream pendant peripheral. A device identification field associated with the data packet is incremented or decremented as the data packet is forwarded along the pendant bus chain until it reaches its destination.

Abstract: A system to be used to add non-listed characters (i.e., characters not listed in character key-in methods) to the vocabulary banks of character-key-in methods used in hand-held mobile communication devices is disclosed. Users of a mobile communication device can select a character or characters which are built in the system but not indexed by a certain character-key-in method (that is, the characters cannot be keyed in with that character-key-in method), index the aforesaid characters, using the indexing system/method of the character-key-in method, and then add them to the key-in method's character-indexing system so that subsequent users of the mobile communication device can use said character-key-in method to key in said (originally non-indexed/listed) characters.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an adapter unit for a personal digital assistant. More specifically, this invention relates to an adapter unit that provides additional functionality, and improved ergonomics and increased ruggedness to the personal digital assistant. The additional functionality includes the ability to automatically change the function of one or more of the application buttons on the personal digital assistant upon the attachment of the adapter unit.

Abstract: A connectivity hub enabling multiple peripheral devices to be connected with a computer includes an integrated clip adapted to grip cables and to grip an edge of a work surface, thereby reducing cable clutter and providing for a more efficient use of work surface space. The connectivity hub includes a curved portion manufactured from a flexible and springy material, enabling a user to apply pressure to increase the distance between two edges of the clip in order to insert cables into the clip or to slide the clip over an edge of a work surface, or both.

Abstract: A device and method for making a peripheral device compliant with a power management standard, such as the USB standard, are described. The device includes a power management unit (PMU) and a timing unit. The PMU is coupled to a battery pack and to a processor of the peripheral device, and manages power allocated to the processor. The timing unit sends electrical signals to the input terminals of the PMU when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device. The electrical signals activate the processor via the PMU. The timing unit sends the electrical signals before a configurable time from the time when the battery pack is connected to the peripheral device.

Abstract: A hybrid data distribution system includes a modulator coupled to an analog device, one or more processors coupled to the modulator, and a database coupled to the one or more processors. The database is configured to store encoded data. The system also includes an Ethernet switch for transmitting the encoded data to a digital device. The Ethernet switch is coupled to each of the database and the digital device. Moreover, the one or more processors are configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, decode the encoded data, and directly or indirectly transmit the decoded data to the modulator. The modulator is configured to transmit the decoded data to the analog device, and the Ethernet switch is configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, and to transmit the encoded data to the digital device.

Abstract: A remote pointing device and keyboard system and method for remotely mimicking the pointing device and keyboard of a personal computing device (such as a laptop or desktop computer) using a handheld computing device (such as Pocket PC or smartphone). Remote control is achieved using Bluetooth wireless technology. A user inputs commands on a touch panel of the handheld device to remotely control the pointing device on the personal computing device. Similarly, the user input data on a keypad of the handheld device to remotely enter keystrokes to the personal computing device, thereby bypassing the keyboard. This allows the user to remotely access the pointing device and keyboard of the personal computing device through the touch panel and keypad of the handheld device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a SCSI target device simulator consisting of a personal computer, a SCSI host adapter board, and simulator software. The SCSI target device simulator is employed to test SCSI host adapter systems by simulating multiple SCSI target devices for test purposes. The simulated SCSI target devices may be configured to imitate a wide variety of different SCSI target device types, with an equally wide variety of configuration settings within a single SCSI target device type. A user may quickly create and change simulated SCSI target devices for a test system. The SCSI target device simulator may also be configured so that the simulated SCSI target devices respond in a specified manner to SCSI commands and SCSI task management commands. Controlling the simulated SCSI target device responses to SCSI commands and SCSI task management commands allows a user to easily configure and test a SCSI host adapter device for specific operational scenarios.

Abstract: A multi-standard protocol storage device can include a non-volatile memory, a first interface controller, a second interface controller, and at least one pin. The non-volatile memory can be accessed according to a non-volatile memory protocol. The first interface controller can be configured to convert first commands in a first standardized protocol to the non-volatile memory protocol and the second interface controller can be configured to convert second commands in a second standardized protocol to the non-volatile memory protocol. The at least one pin of the device is configured to conduct a recognition signal thereon indicating whether the first or second standardized protocol is used by a host coupled thereto and that conducts data signals according to the first and second standardized protocols.

Abstract: An adapter provides the components necessary to operate a computer or similar device as a communicator for smart field devices. The adapter includes terminals adapted for connection to the field device and a communication cable adapted for connection to the computer. Memory located within the adapter stores application software associated with the communication protocol employed by the field device. The application software stored by the memory is loaded onto the computer via the communication cable, allowing a user to receive and send data to the field device based on the communication protocol employed by the field device. The adapter includes a port circuit that interfaces bi-directionally communication between the computer and the field device using the communication protocol.

Abstract: A switch/network adapter port (“SNAP”) for clustered computers employing multi-adaptive processor (“MAP™”, a trademark of SRC Computers, Inc.) elements in a dual in-line memory module (“DIMM”) or Rambus™ in-line memory module (“RIMM”) format to significantly enhance data transfer rates over that otherwise available through use of the standard peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) bus. Particularly disclosed is a microprocessor based computer system utilizing either a DIMM or RIMM physical format processor element for the purpose of implementing a connection to an external switch, network, or other device. In a particular embodiment, connections may be provided to either the PCI, accelerated graphics port (“AGP”) or system maintenance (“SM”) bus for purposes of passing control information to the host microprocessor or other control chips.

Abstract: A system for using computer input devices with software applications is disclosed. The system includes an input device mapper API, which uses a language of semantics as an interface between input devices and software applications. The input device mapper receives information about which semantics the devices connected to the computer are able to implement, and which semantics correspond to actions that a user can request the software to perform. The input device mapper maps controls on the available devices into user-requestable software actions by matching, as closely as possible, device controls and software actions that correspond to the same semantic. The system thus makes input devices and software applications transparent to each other, and permits a software application to be designed to operate without regard to which input device is being used to control its actions.

Abstract: A process control system includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices and a controller in communication using a bus. Each I/O device has an interface for communicatively linking the I/O device with the bus, and includes a device processor which, upon detection of a potential I/O device fault, severs the communication link provided by the interface with the bus to thereby remove the I/O device from the bus and to prevent the I/O device from keeping other I/O devices on the bus from communicating over the bus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for correlating physical and logical attributes of devices include associating logical-tags (L-tags) and physical-tags (P-tags) with electronic devices. A P-tag includes a P-tag identifier, which can be read by a P-tag reading device, regardless of whether power is applied to the electronic device. In one embodiment, a system includes a P-tag comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having a non-volatile memory to store physical and logical attribute information; and an electronic device associated with the RFID tag, the electronic device having a processor and a bus, and being communicatively coupled to the RFID tag over the bus, the processor to execute instructions to read information from and write information to the non-volatile memory of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A system with a first random access memory (RAM), a second RAM, a first processor coupled to the first RAM and a second processor coupled to the second RAM. The first RAM is configured to store input/output (I/O) completions from at least two engines. The second RAM is also configured to store I/O completions from at least two engines. When all engines are active, the system writes I/O completions from the engines to the first and second RAMs. The first processor processes I/O completions stored in the first RAM. The second processor processes I/O completions stored in the second RAM.

Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for interlocking data integrity for network adapters are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include executing a plurality of interlocking checks within a network adapter. Each interlocking check may comprise receiving a plurality of input check values associated with a plurality of input data packets corresponding to a first protocol. A plurality of check values may be generated which are associated with the plurality of input data packets and a plurality of output data packets corresponding to a second protocol. The data integrity of the plurality of input data packets and the plurality of output data packets may be validated based on one or more comparisons between one or more of the generated plurality of check values and one or more of the received plurality of input check values.

Abstract: An external connection device is to connectable to a host device. The host device includes transmission means for transmitting, to the external connection device, a parameter and an operation control command indicating a command for performing operation control of the external connection device. The external connection device includes a parameter register operable to store the parameter, a command register operable to store the operation control command provided from the host device, and a controller operable to refer to the operation control command stored in the command register and to perform operation control specified by the operation control command. The parameter register and the command register of the external connection device are accessed from the host device based on a transfer protocol command (TPC) issued from the host device.

Abstract: An information transmitting/receiving system is disclosed which includes a base station apparatus and a monitor apparatus, the system being arranged to let the base station apparatus offer more content information to the monitor apparatus than before. On receiving a content transmission request, the base station apparatus performs an authenticating process using monitor apparatus registration information in order to send content information only to the registered monitor apparatus authorized to receive the content information. The monitor apparatus may register with a plurality of units of the base station apparatus. When the monitor apparatus selects any one of the multiple units of the base station apparatus to request transmission of content information therefrom, the selected base station unit transmits the requested content information to the requesting monitor apparatus.

Abstract: A peripheral device driver installing device for installing a peripheral device driver peculiar to a peripheral device on an information processor which is connected to the peripheral device, comprising: a connection detecting unit for detecting a connection between the peripheral device and the information processor; a peripheral device inquiring unit for inquiring information concerning the peripheral device to the peripheral device; an installation determining unit for determining whether or not the peripheral device driver peculiar to the peripheral device has been installed on the information processor on the basis of the information concerning the peripheral device sent in response by the peripheral device to the peripheral device inquiring unit; a reading unit for reading a file of the peripheral device driver stored in the peripheral device if it is determined by the installation determining unit that the peripheral device driver has not been installed on the information processor; a storage unit for

Abstract: An integrated circuit implementing a storage-shelf router used alone, or in combination with other storage-shelf routers, and in combination with path controller cards, to interconnect the disks within a storage shelf or disk array to a high-bandwidth communications medium, such as an FC arbitrated loop, through which data is exchanged between the individual disk drives of the storage shelf and a disk-array controller. A set of interconnected storage-shelf routers within a storage shelf can be accessed through a single port of an FC arbitrated loop or other high-bandwidth communications medium. Because, in one implementation, eight storage-shelf routers can be interconnected within a storage shelf to provide highly available interconnection of sixty-four disk drives within the storage shelf to an FC arbitrated loop via a single FC-arbitrated-loop port, a single FC arbitrated loop including a disk-array controller, may interconnect 8,000 individual disk drives to the disk-array controller within a disk array.

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: Automated software loading into a battery-less mobile phone is accomplished through attachment of a special non-standard USB On-The-Go cable to a serial connector of the mobile phone, thereby delivering power supply and unique signals for placing the phone in a special mode of operation used for production or distribution. In operation, when a unique non-standard voltage is asserted on the identification (ID) pin of the USB connector interface, it is detected by special circuitry in the serial connector. The circuitry then enables power supply to the battery-less phone and generates a turn-on signal directing the mobile phone to automatically power-on and enter into a particular state of operation, for example a test or software loading mode. Because this process is automatic, the efficiency of software loading or testing during production or distribution of the mobile device is improved.