Application-specific Peripheral Adapting Patents (Class 710/72)
  • Patent number: 8671234
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for enabling improved interface between a dual-mode multimedia source that supports a pair of data formats and a sink device operable using inputs in a third data format. An adaptor device enabling improved connectivity as well as backward compatibility with legacy devices is disclosed. The system enables the transmission of sideband channel configured in an I2C over AUX format thereby enabling increased performance in sideband channels of a dual-mode source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Osamu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20140068119
    Abstract: Some embodiments include keyboard-video-mouse systems. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos del Toro, Chad Singer, Abraham Camacho, Jake Diner, Mauricio Chacon, Robert Jeng, Adam Belmonte
  • Publication number: 20140059257
    Abstract: Some embodiments include keyboard-video-mouse systems. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos del Toro, Chad Singer, Abraham Camacho, Thorben Neu, Michael E. Wick, Adam Belmonte
  • Patent number: 8659546
    Abstract: A method for transferring digital content, involving defining a first region of space associated with a first device and a second region of space associated with a second device, wherein the first device includes digital content to be transferred to the second device, performing a first action within the first region, obtaining the digital content to be transferred from the first device in response to performing the first action to obtain captured digital content, performing a second action within the second region, and transferring the captured digital content to the second device in response to performing the second action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Smith, Robert F. Tow
  • Patent number: 8660701
    Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with any desired algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to perform at least one function in addition to or in lieu of the first controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Terry G. Phillips, Wade C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8661170
    Abstract: A nondestructive testing apparatus includes a storage section which stores a plurality of predetermined functions which are executable by the nondestructive testing apparatus, each of the predetermined functions being initially set to one of a permitted state and a disabled state; an input section which includes a plurality of input portions respectively corresponding to the predetermined functions; and a control section which is adapted to receive permission information including information which unlocks at least one of the predetermined functions initially set in the disabled state so as to be set to the permitted state. The control section automatically assigns the at least one predetermined function which has been unlocked to the corresponding input portion of the input section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Saichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8654864
    Abstract: In a communication system, data is selectively transmitted using single-ended or differential signaling. The data is transmitted in relation to a plurality of clock signals having different relative phases. When the data is transmitted using single-ended signaling, data on adjacent signal lines undergo logic transitions at different times in relation to the plurality of clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoe-Ju Chung, Jung-Bae Lee
  • Publication number: 20140047143
    Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting wireless cameras are provided. A computing device may include a network interface, and a processor configured to establish a virtual USB bus available to an operating system of the computing device, establish a virtual USB camera device, and report to the operating system that the virtual USB camera device is connected to the virtual USB bus. The virtual USB camera may be configured to establish a network connection to a network camera using the network interface, receive video data from the network camera via the network interface, and send the video data via the virtual USB bus. Alternatively, the virtual USB camera may send the video data to the operating system as USB packets, without establishing a virtual USB bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: John Bateman, Ken Erbes, Michael Cheng, Vijay Kamataki, Oleg Ostap, Oliver Hoheisel, David Kim
  • Patent number: 8650343
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable memory apparatus is disclosed. The replaceable memory apparatus includes a first rectangular multilayer printed circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first male pluggable electrical connector mounted to the first side near a first edge; a first female pluggable electrical connector mounted to the second side; and first non-volatile memory mounted to the first side and the second side. The first female pluggable electrical connector is coupled to the first male pluggable electrical connector to feed through first signals. The first non-volatile memory is coupled to the first female pluggable electrical connector and the first male pluggable electrical connector to receive the first signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Virident Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruban Kanapathippillai, Ashwin Narasimha, Kenneth A. Okin, Vijay Karamcheti
  • Patent number: 8645598
    Abstract: At least one downstream interface may be configured to be simultaneously connected to both a USB 3.0 compliant device and a USB 2.0 compliant device. The interface may be used for communicating with a USB 3.0 compliant device via a downstream port and simultaneously communicating with a USB 2.0 compliant device via the downstream port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hans Van Antwerpen, Herve Letourneur
  • Patent number: 8645599
    Abstract: A consumer media player is configured to be electronically coupled to various different types of media source devices, extract media files from those media source devices, and play the extracted media files to a consumer. The consumer media player is also configured to physically hold all or part of one or more media source devices in a manner that facilitates electronic coupling of the media source device to the consumer media player and that provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the consumer. In particular, the consumer media player includes a cavity that can hold at least a portion of the media source device. In one of the embodiments described herein, at least some types of media source devices can be entirely physically stored within the cavity in the consumer media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregor Said Jackson, Mario Brotz, Sathyanarayanan Nagarajan Iyer, Thomas R. Goligoski
  • Patent number: 8639864
    Abstract: A diplex FPGA is utilized to fan out a single high speed host universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (“UART”) channel into a number of diplex UART channels. The diplex FPGA includes a microprocessor, memory, a host UART and a number of diplex UARTs. In operation, the microprocessor polls each of the UARTs in a “round robin” manner and accepts packets from the host UART for transmission downstream and from the diplex UARTs for transmission upstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas R. Sullivan, Howard G. Drake, Matthew Yellen
  • Patent number: 8639371
    Abstract: Systems and methods for self-configuring portable electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, the portable device includes carrier circuitry that receives compressed data streams of information and application circuitry that decompresses the received data stream in accordance with a specific CODEC. The device includes the capability for the carrier circuitry to provide the specific CODEC required to decompress the data stream to the application circuitry. The transfer of the specific CODEC can be done as a default action or it can be done based on a queue received from the application circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. McKillop
  • Patent number: 8639865
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of calibrating a memory interface are described. Calibrating a memory interface can include loading and outputting units of a first data pattern into and from at least a portion of a register to generate a first read capture window. Units of a second data pattern can be loaded into and output from at least the portion of the register to generate a second read capture window. One of the first read capture window and the second read capture window can be selected and a data capture point for the memory interface can be calibrated according to the selected read capture window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry M. Grunzke
  • Patent number: 8635569
    Abstract: A universal memory I/O generating apparatus includes a defining module, a retrieving module, a generating module, and a layout module. The defining module defines a mapping table according to a pin configuration of a plurality of I/Os. The mapping table includes corresponding relationships between the plurality of IOs and a plurality of memory functions. The retrieving module retrieves control information corresponding to the mapping table from candidate information, which is associated with the corresponding relationships between the plurality of I/Os and the plurality of memory functions. The generating module generates a hardware description language (HDL) file according to the control information. The layout module programs the plurality of I/Os according to the HDL file, so that each of the I/Os can correspond to its corresponding memory function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sterling Smith, Hsian-Feng Liu, Eer-Wen Tyan, Chun-Chia Chen, Ming-Chieh Yeh, Chung-Ching Chen, Yo-Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 8630635
    Abstract: Techniques for use in processing user data associated with a user account of a mobile device having an application is described. The mobile device includes a memory and an interface configured to receive a removable memory card. A encryption/decryption key is stored in the memory, but is not stored in the removable memory card. The mobile device regularly receives and stores updates to the user data in the memory for use in the application. For updates to the user data, the mobile device updates a copy of the user data stored in the removable memory card in an encrypted format in accordance with the encryption/decryption key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Piotr Konrad Tysowski
  • Patent number: 8631167
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus with a plurality of USB (universal serial bus) ports to which USB devices can be connected, includes: detection means for detecting the USB port of the plurality of USB ports to which the USB device that is in the course of data communication is connected; and first display control means for displaying on a display unit provided in a position corresponding to the detected USB port the fact that the USB device connected to the detected USB port is in the course of data communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke Samura
  • Patent number: 8631177
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for hosting storage media devices using multi-port devices having a plurality of ports. For example, in one embodiment, a method of operating a multi-port device includes detecting whether a host device or a storage media device is connected to a first port of the multi-port device or a second port of the multi-port device. The method also includes, if the host device is connected to the first port, configuring the first port as a slave port and operating the multi-port device as a slave hosted by the host device. The method also includes, if the host device is connected to the second port and the storage media device is connected to the first port, configuring the first port as a host port and hosting the storage media device from the multi-port device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: SMSC Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Christopher Thomas
  • Patent number: 8615611
    Abstract: Devices and methods for communicating DisplayPort information and non-DisplayPort information over a DisplayPort cable are provided. In some embodiments, an integration device includes a main link switching circuit configured to selectively couple lanes of the DisplayPort main link to a DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a first mode, and to a non-DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a second mode. In some embodiments, the integration device may be configured to hot swap between the first mode and the second mode after an initial connection has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Icron Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Aaron T. J. Hall
  • Patent number: 8601185
    Abstract: The disclosed system and methods involve controlling the timing and order in which numerous motors and sensors exchange data over a data bus. The method can be used with, for example, motion control, automotive, industrial automation, and medical equipment applications using data buses. As an example of one possible medical equipment application, the method of exchanging data on a bus can be used with a remote catheter guidance system. The disclosed system and methods help optimize data exchange over a bus and avoid collisions by grouping the transmission of sensor readings, by grouping the transmission of motor commands, and by predetermining the order of these groups. Further, the method provides a way of ensuring that incomplete data sets are not exchanged over the bus. The method also provides a way of synchronizing motor actuation based on data transmitted to the data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Divison, Inc.
    Inventors: Kulbir S. Sandhu, Atila G. Amiri, Samuel K. Gee
  • Patent number: 8601187
    Abstract: A serial interface circuit which can adapt to various frame formats to reduce the load on a CPU. The interface circuit includes a rewritable control register used for programmably specifying a field structure to be targeted for processing out of structures of fields preceding a data field of a frame as defined by a communication protocol. The interface circuit analyzes the field structure preceding the data field according to a setting of the control register. When a destination of a received frame is determined to match an expected value, the interface circuit issues a request for the CPU to process the data field information. After a setting is made on the control register, the serial interface circuit can adapt to various formats of frames as defined by a communication protocol according to the information held there, and can also analyze a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Otashiro, Takuya Ikeguchi
  • Patent number: 8595392
    Abstract: A device controller, a peripheral device, and a power control method that enable buffers to be used efficiently and that enable power control to be performed on the basis of data amounts accumulated in the buffers are provided. A novel device controller includes an input buffer for accumulating data output from a host device, an output buffer for accumulating data output to the host device, a data communication section for transferring data between the input and output buffers and the host device, and a data buffer control section for modifying buffer allocation amounts to the input and output buffers on the basis of the data amount accumulated in at least one of the input and output buffers. The data buffer control section causes the data communication section to transition from a normal power consumption mode to a low power consumption mode when the data amount reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kiichi Muto
  • Patent number: 8584255
    Abstract: A networked Conditional Access Module provided on an IEEE 1394 network, by defining a Conditional Access Module as a Conditional Access Subunit of the IEEE 1394 network. There is provided an AV/C Conditional Access Commands to allow communication between the Conditional Access Subunit and other Subunits on the network. The Conditional Access Subunit is configured to receive AV/C Conditional Access Commands over the IEEE 1394 network from another subunit, and means to is also configured to transmit AV/C responses over the IEEE 1394 network in response to the received AV/C Conditional Access Commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited
    Inventors: Richard John Barry, Adrian Charles Paskins
  • Patent number: 8578076
    Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a cloud bridge between two virtual storage resources and for transmitting data from one first virtual storage resource to the other virtual storage resource. The system can include a first virtual storage resource or cloud, and a storage delivery management service that executes on a computer and within the first virtual storage resource. The storage delivery management service can receive user credentials of a user that identify a storage adapter. Upon receiving the user credentials, the storage delivery management service can invoke the storage adapter which executes an interface that identifies a second virtual storage resource and includes an interface translation file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Citrix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob van der Linden, David Halls, Simon Waterhouse, Peter Benoit
  • Patent number: 8578081
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a housing unit, which allows an electronic device such as a portable digital audio player to be substantially hermetically sealed within an audio device. The electronic device is controllable by a user while housed with the housing unit. The audio device is able to be used in a vehicle such as a car, a camper, or a boat or in other common consumer products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Louis Fils
  • Patent number: 8572303
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a portable device comprising at least one processor. The portable device also comprises a memory coupled to the processor comprising data. Further, the portable device comprises a detector configured to detect at least one external device. The at least one external device is configured to connect to the portable device. Further, the portable device comprises an interface to connect to the at least one external device. The interface is configured to transmit or receive one or more control signals excluding the data. Furthermore, the portable device comprises a controller configured to enable controlling of the portable device from the at least one external device; and controlling of the at least one external device from the portable device through the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Tal Lavian, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 8572302
    Abstract: A controller and a method for interfacing between a host and storage medium. A storage medium interface includes CH0 circuitry for performing a CH0 process to access a buffer memory on behalf of the storage medium. A host interface includes CH1 circuitry for performing a CH1 process to access the buffer memory on behalf of the host. Access to the buffer memory is arbitrated in sequential tenures to each channel of the multi-channel bus within a maximum arbitration round trip time defined by the time taken by the storage medium to move a distance corresponding to N sectors in which N is greater than one. In the CH0 tenure, the CH0 process transfers data corresponding to N sectors of the storage medium in a multi-sector burst. The length of the tenure of the CH0 channel is pre-designated so that the multi-sector burst is completed within the CH0 tenure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Theodore White, Stanley Cheong, Lim Hudiono, William Dennin, III, Chau Tran
  • Patent number: 8560753
    Abstract: A method and system for providing computer input/output (I/O) functionality within a remote computing environment. The system comprises a host audio controller and a remote audio controller for bridging audio data between a host computing system and at least one remote audio device, a host USB controller and a remote USB controller for bridging USB data between the host computing system and at least one remote USB device, and an encoder module and a remote display decoder for bridging a digital video signal from the host computing system to a remote display, wherein the host audio controller, the host USB controller, and the encoder module are communicatively coupled to the remote audio controller, the remote USB controller, and the remote display decoder, respectively, via a computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Teradici Corporation
    Inventors: David Victor Hobbs, Ian Cameron Main
  • Patent number: 8560744
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an input interface providing USB apparatus which is capable of providing an input interface for a variety of external devices in Bluetooth communication with the USB apparatus without a separate input means by connecting the USB apparatus to USB ports of a terminal and sharing an input means of the terminal with the external devices, and an interface providing method. The input interface providing USB apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention is capable of providing an input interface for a variety of external devices in Bluetooth communication with the USB apparatus without a separate input means by connecting the USB apparatus to USB ports of a terminal and sharing an input means of the terminal with the external devices, thereby providing excellent user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Zaramtechnology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joon Hyun Baek
  • Patent number: 8554961
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer-code are disclosed where an impending decoupling between a peripheral device and a host is detected. In some embodiments, in response to the detected impending disconnection, a user alert signal is generated. In some embodiments, an ‘onboard detector’ that is associated with housing of the peripheral device and operative to detect the impending disconnection is provided. In some embodiments, the user alert signal is generated in accordance with inter-device data flow between the host and the peripheral device. Exemplary peripheral devices include but are not limited to transient storage devices such as a USB flash drives (UFD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Yehuda Hahn, Mordechai Teicher, Itzhak Pomerantz
  • Patent number: 8542379
    Abstract: A printing cost charging method of a printing system wherein the printing system includes a mobile terminal, an image forming apparatus capable of communicating data with the mobile terminal, and a server capable of communicating data with the mobile terminal via a wireless communication network. The printing cost charging method comprises the steps of transmitting printing data from the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus, transmitting printing information relating to the printing data from the image forming apparatus to the mobile terminal, transmitting the printing information from the mobile terminal to the server, and controlling the server to charge a printing cost to the mobile terminal based on the printing information. Costly equipment and potential errors are reduced as the server of the printing system which charges the printing cost interfaces with the mobile terminal without the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-jung Yun
  • Patent number: 8533376
    Abstract: A data processing method includes generating a data storing area in a memory space. An area address of the data storing area is designated to a basic I/O control on the user space in a memory. The memory has a user space and a kernel space. A function is called in the kernel space using the basic I/O control. Whether the data storing area is inside the memory space is determined. The area address of the data storing area is set as an argument of the function in a case where it is determined that the data storing area is included in the memory space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Hiroya Kobayashi, Keiichi Takaoka
  • Patent number: 8527686
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a network interface port, a processing unit, a network card, a serial interface, and a microchip. The network interface port connects to a debugging host or connects to an external network. The processing unit is connected to the network interface port. The network card is connected to the processing unit. The microchip is connected to the processing unit through the serial interface. The processing unit determines whether the network interface port is connected to the debugging host or connected to the external network, and selectively connects the network card or the serial interface to the network interface port according to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Rong Zhao, Guang-Jian Wang, Xiao-Mei Liu
  • Patent number: 8527679
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for adapting an input/output interface. According to the exemplary method, a host system adapts an input/output interface of the guest system to an input/output unit capability of a host system so as to support a service supported by an input/output unit supporting the input/output unit capability of the guest system using the at least one input/output unit of the host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sang-bum Suh, Xiang Song, Kishore Ramachandran, Joo-young Hwang, Jung-hyun Yoo, Dushmanta Mohapatra
  • Patent number: 8525691
    Abstract: In electric equipment that has a digital interface, an operation that is normally performed by an output terminal during authentication processing is executed on equipment connected to an input terminal of the digital interface by the input terminal as an erroneous connection detection operation. When there is a proper response from the equipment connected to the input terminal of the digital interface in response to the erroneous connection detection operation, the electric equipment detects that the connected equipment has been erroneously connected. When an erroneous connection is detected, the electric equipment gives notice of the detection of the erroneous connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumi Suga
  • Patent number: 8527678
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent, modular multimedia computer management system for coupling a series of remote computers to one or more user workstations to allow each user workstation to selectively access and control one or more remote computers. The computer management system incorporates a centralized switching system that receives keyboard, cursor control device, audio, and auxiliary peripheral device signals from the user workstation and transmits and applies the signals to the remote computer in the same manner as if the keyboard, cursor control device, audio input source, or auxiliary peripheral device of the user workstation were directly coupled to the remote computer. Also, the user workstation receives audio signals and auxiliary peripheral device signals from the remote computer. In addition, the multimedia computer management system transmits video signals from the remote computer over an extended range for display on the video monitor of the user workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
    Inventors: Yee Liaw, Lech Glinski
  • Publication number: 20130212306
    Abstract: A host device includes a processing core, a switch, and a host-end universal serial bus (USB) connector. The processing core provides a display signal and a USB signal to the switch. The host-end USB connector is selectively connected to a video USB (VUSB) display device and a USB peripheral device. The processing core has the switch controlled to output the display signal via the host-end USB connector, when the host-end USB connector is connected to a VUSB display device. The processing core has the switch controlled to output the USB signal via the host-end USB connector, when the host-end USB connector is connected to a USB peripheral device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventor: Chien-Hung LIU
  • Patent number: 8489784
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to adaptive interconnection for multimedia devices. An embodiment of an apparatus includes an apparatus that includes one or more ports, the one or more ports including one or more adaptable ports, where each adaptable port includes a receptacle to accept a plug of a connector element, the receptacle including multiple electrical contacts. The apparatus further includes an adaptable port device to process data including multimedia data received at the one or more adaptable ports, where the adaptable port device is to detect a multimedia signal format for multimedia data received at each of the adaptable ports, and adapt each of the adaptable ports to be compatible with the detected multimedia signal format for the adaptable port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Image, Inc.
    Inventor: Graeme Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 8478915
    Abstract: A computer program product, apparatus, and method for determining extended capability of a channel path in an I/O processing system are provided. The computer program product includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving a request to provide a channel path description for a channel path, where the channel path includes a channel coupled to a control unit. The method further includes outputting the channel path description for the channel path in response to the request. The channel path description includes a descriptor indicating that the channel path supports a link protocol for commanding an I/O operation, and an extension support indicator specifying whether the channel path supports an extension to the link protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Gainey, Jr., Daniel F. Casper
  • Patent number: 8478913
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting an accessory to a portable electronic device includes a first connector compatible with a connector of the portable electronic device and a second connector compatible with a connector of the accessory. The connectors of the accessory and the portable electronic device are otherwise incompatible with each other. The adapter provides two levels of authentication. First, the adapter authenticates itself to the portable electronic device. If this first authentication is successful, then the adapter authenticates the accessory to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Daniel J. Fritchman, Scott Krueger, Terry Tikalsky, Debra A. Sillman, Tony Chi Wang Ng
  • Patent number: 8473664
    Abstract: In some embodiments a computing device includes a coupler that is able to be coupled to an external device, and an eject button to signal the computing device that a user wishes to safely uncouple the external device from the computing device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Avener Stemmer
  • Patent number: 8456395
    Abstract: A panel adjustment method is executed on a host to adjust settings of a panel connected to the host through a serial bus. The method determines whether the panel is supported by the host. When the panel is supported by the host, the settings of the panel is read from a database of the host to accordingly set the panel. It is further determined whether the panel is correctly set or not. When the panel is correctly set, it is further determined whether the panel is of a frame buffer mode or not. When the panel is of a frame buffer mode, it is determined whether a header file generation is required or not. When the header file generation is required, the settings and a panel name are included in an include file. The include file is compiled to thereby generate a binary file which is loaded into the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-I Liu
  • Patent number: 8451484
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method for controlling printing, the apparatus and method including acquiring printing apparatus identification information for identifying a printing apparatus from a removable medium connected to the information processing apparatus, producing print data to be printed by the printing apparatus using a printer driver compatible with the printing apparatus identified by the printing apparatus identification information, storing the print data produced by the print data production unit on the removable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naohiro Isshiki
  • Patent number: 8452903
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide for capability identification for accessories coupled with a mobile computing device. During capability identification an accessory can request capability information from a mobile computing device. In some embodiments, the accessory can specifically request capability information associated with a specific lingo. In response, the mobile computing device can respond with a message that indicates the capabilities of the mobile computing device that are supported. In some embodiments, the capabilities can be those capabilities associated with the specified lingo. In some embodiments, if the mobile computing device does not support a lingo, then the mobile computing device can respond to the request from the accessory with a negative acknowledgement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Bolton, Shailesh Rathi, Sylvain R. Y. Louboutin
  • Publication number: 20130117478
    Abstract: There is provided a device control apparatus, a device control method and a program capable of easily initiating control of an operation of an external device through an application according to a status of the external device and a usage status of the application. An application for controlling an operation of an AV amplifier is acquired from an application server, a status of the AV amplifier and a usage status of the application are determined upon startup of the application, a screen according to the result of the determination is displayed in order to arrange an operation environment of the application and then a manipulation screen for controlling the operation of the AV amplifier through the application is displayed, and the operation of the AV amplifier is controlled according to a user manipulation performed through the manipulation screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: SONY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8438239
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for propagating data between multiple terminal devices includes determining the functional operability of a plurality of devices to assess which devices are properly configured. If a device is properly configured, operating the device in a transmit-mode to transmit functional operability data. If a device is not properly configured, operating the device in a receive-mode to receive the functional operability data. Coupling a transmitting device and at least one receiving device to a plurality of ports that are operably connected together so that the transmitting device and receiving device share the functional operability data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Vocollect, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Mellott, Brian Bender, Ryan Zoschg, Andrew Snyder, Harry Karatassos, Peter Lehotay
  • Patent number: 8433772
    Abstract: An approach for automatically sharing a tape drive in a heterogeneous computing environment that includes a first computer and second computer is presented. The first computer receives a message that includes a shared tape drive identifier, a source port identifier of the second computer, and a reservation status change for the tape drive. Based on the tape drive identifier, the first computer determines that the tape drive is connected to the first computer. The source port identifier is determined to not identify any host bus adapter installed in the first computer. In response to the first computer determining that the reservation status change indicates a reservation or a release of the tape drive for the second computer, the first computer sets the tape drive offline or online, respectively, in an application executing in the first computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nils Haustein, Leonard George Jesionowski, Wolfgang Muelller-Friedt, Ulf Troppens
  • Publication number: 20130103886
    Abstract: Disclosed is a host bus adapter (HBA) that to receives an input/output (I/O) command from an operating system I/O driver. Firmware stored on the host bus adapter includes primary firmware and secondary firmware to process the I/O command. The HBA is to respond to the I/O command under the control of one of the primary firmware or secondary firmware. The selected one of said primary firmware and secondary firmware may be used to certify a hardware driver for either the current generation (primary firmware) or a future generation (secondary firmware).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Rajiv Bhatia, Ankit Sihare
  • Patent number: 8423687
    Abstract: Location based profiles are used to modify the configuration of a computing device based on a detected location. The location based profiles allow features such as cameras to be enabled and disabled. Physical and logical data storage partitions can also be mounted and unmounted, and the home screen displayed by a device can be modified. Location bookmarks can be used to further customize the appearance and function of a computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Srinivansan, Ye Gu, Johnny Liu
  • Patent number: 8416103
    Abstract: Keypads are described which are row similar to a standard telephone keypad though they have a different number of columns of base-letter-assigned keys than the standard to which they are related. Smooth sequences of such row-similar keypads are exhibited. Keypads which support both row-similar telephone keypad layouts and reduced layouts corresponding to typewriter standards are disclosed. It is shown how to combine various structural and statistical limitations with row similarity. It is also shown how to embed a row-similar digit layout in row-similar base letter layouts, and how to beneficially provide negative space between keys, construct pseudo standards, and extend or reduce desktop standards or pseudo standards while obeying structural or typability constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Howard Andrew Gutowitz, Dimitrios Kechagias