Abstract: A multi-interface memory card and an adapter module for the memory card are described to enable convenient transfer of data between the memory card and a computer. The multi-interface memory card has a micro controller, a memory unit, a USB interface, an IEEE 1394 interface, and a product interface. The memory unit is connected to the micro controller, such that external computers or electronic products can read data from or write data to said memory unit under the control of the micro controller. The USB and IEEE 1394 interfaces are connected to the memory unit via the micro controller for controlling data access. The product interface is provided for connecting to a digital product to read or write data. The adapter module is provided to conveniently connect the multi-interface memory card to the computer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and system for interfacing a plurality of device controllers to an array of data storage devices by serial connection. The device controllers are coupled to a serial interface by a bus and the devices of the storage array are coupled to the serial interface by a serial connection. The serial interface receives controller signals through the bus and multiplexes the signals onto the serial connections of the storage array. Arbitration between the various device controllers seeking access to the storage array is resolved through bus protocol and through drive based reserve/release registers in the serial interface processor.

Abstract: A portable computer system provides an operating system-independent digital data player. The computer system includes an operating system, a data storage medium to store a plurality of digitally encoded data files, and a digital data player to decode and play the plurality of digitally encoded data files in an operating system-independent digital data mode. The data storage medium may be any of the storage media for the computer system such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive or removable data storage. A mini-display panel of the portable computer system displays control status information associated with playing of the plurality of digitally encoded data files in the digital data mode. The computer system further includes a digital data button to place the portable computer system in the digital data mode and a plurality of digital data control buttons to select a plurality of digital data control commands for the plurality of digitally encoded data files.

Abstract: A USB interface flash memory card reader is attached with a built-in flash memory so that the card reader itself provides a function of data storage in addition to a function of reading data in a flash memory card or writing data into the flash memory card.

Abstract: A technique for transferring data between a first device and a second device using a shared line buffer connected to a system bus which couples the first device and the second device. The technique includes (i) transferring data between the line buffer and dedicated memory associated with the first device, wherein the first device includes a data controller coupled to the system bus through a bus interface. The transferring (i) includes using the data transfer controller to effectuate a multiword data transfer between the dedicated memory and the line buffer. The technique further includes multiword data (ii) transferring between the line buffer and the second device across the system bus. When the transferring (i) precedes the transferring (ii), data is read from the dedicated memory from output to the second device, and when the transferring (ii) precedes the transferring (i), data is written to dedicated memory from the second device.

Abstract: A storage network that facilitates the transfer of a data set from a first storage device to a second storage device, without blocking access to the data set during the transfer is provided. An intermediate device for the storage network is provided. The intermediate device comprises a plurality of communication interfaces. Data transfer resources are coupled to the plurality of interfaces, and are used for transferring data access requests identifying the data set from a third interface at least one of a first and second interfaces. A logic engine within the intermediate device is coupled to the interfaces, and is responsive to a control signal to manage the transfer of the data set through the interfaces.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a pluralierty of controllers in a master/slave N-way controller topology. The master controller is coupled to a host system, and each controller is operatively coupled to one of a plurality of data unit arrays. The plurality of data unit arrays each include a plurality of disk units that are linked together. The linked disk units appear as a continuous logical unit and each data unit array forms a data span, such that the plurality of data unit arrays form N-way data spans. Each controller is adapted to transfer data between the data units and the master controller in response to instructions therefrom based on a data configuration. The data is then transferred between the master controller and the host system. The master controller is adapted to balance I/O requests amongst the plurality of controllers and re-direct an I/O request directed to a failed controller to an active controller.

Abstract: A method to determine the read capability and/or the write capability of one or more input/output devices and one or more information storage media disposed in a computer system whereby a device bit is set for each input/output device based upon the device's write capability, a media bit is set for each information storage medium based upon the writeability of that medium, each device bit and each medium bit is stored for future reference. A method to write information to a designated information storage medium using an allocated data storage device using a specified information recording format, whereby a previously-determined media bit for the designated information storage medium is examined, and a previously-determined device bit for the allocated data storage device is examined, and the write capability of the designated information storage medium using the specified information recording format is determined.

Abstract: A network stack layer interface is provided for efficient communication between network stack layers. The network stack layer interface includes a header portion that defines various characteristics of the network stack layer interface. In addition, a buffer descriptor is included that defines data that was, or will be, transmitted over the computer network. The buffer descriptor includes a memory address pointer to the data. In this manner, information is passed between network stack layers via the network stack interface, resulting in fast network data transfer with reduced data copying.

Abstract: A data storage system wherein a host computer is coupled to a bank of disk drives through an interface. The interface has a plurality of directors and a memory interconnected by a buss. The directors control data transfer between the host computer and the bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. The interface includes a plurality of ESCON adapters, a front end portion of the directors being coupled between the host computer and the busses through the ESCON adapters. Each one of such adapters includes a plurality of adapter ports each one being coupled to a corresponding port of the host computer. Each one of the adapters also includes a plurality of adapter board gate arrays and a plurality of optic interfaces. Each one of the optic interfaces is coupled between a corresponding one of the adapter port and a corresponding one of the adapter board gate arrays. Each coupled optic interfaces and gate array provides a corresponding one of a plurality of channels for the data.

Abstract: High level commands for a disk drive are processed by a task manager program that parses them into low level subcommands (e.g., SCSI commands). The low level subcommands are. then presented to the command execution means of the disk drive for execution. The parsing or sub tasking of a high level command into a number of low level commands permits the efficient handling of subcommands that must be deferred until other subcommands are executed and of third party XOR operations.

Abstract: A controller for use in an optical storage device is provided. The controller includes a block decoder/encoder for processing data to and from a media of the optical storage device. An ATAPI interface is also provided and is configured to process data and control signals for selectively communicating data to and from the optical storage device during operation in an ATAPI mode. Universal serial bus (USB) logic is configured to process data and control signals for selectively communicating data to and from the optical storage device during operation in a USB mode. The USB logic is configured to utilize data transfer control logic implemented by the ATAPI interface. Accordingly, the one controller can be integrated into either an external peripheral device that communicates over a USB connection in the USB mode, or into an internal peripheral device that communicates over an IDE connection in the ATAPI mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of utilizing a plurality of independent fiber channel arbitrated loops for moving, replicating and storing video information on storage devices in an interactive video information system. A plurality of servers are each comprised of a plurality of server modules. Each server module comprises a plurality of fiber channel (FC) disk drives coupled by a local port to a first independent, or “local” fiber channel arbitrated loop, to create a “virtual FC disk drive”, within each server module. The plurality of FC disk drives on each of the plurality of server modules are also coupled to a second or independent, or “backup” FC loop, via a backup port on each FC disk drive. By utilizing two independent FC loops in this configuration, data may be sequentially transmitted from a first server module, across the backup FC loop, to a second server module.

Abstract: Diagnostic data in a sequential access Small Computer System Interface device is accessed by a first logical unit. A second logical unit is configurable to control a mode of operation of the first logical unit. The first unit Provides normal and/or backup functions while the second unit provides diagnostic/status functions or the second unit activates the first unit to be online or offline, depending on the first unit being commanded to perform the diagnostic function.

Abstract: A universal memory bus coupled between a system's CPU and the system memory is composed of four channels; a primary channel, an identification channel, a programming channel and an expansion channel. The primary channel communicates operating system data necessary to boot the system. The identification channel communicates signals describing the device composition of the system memory. The programming channel communicates programming signals to all of the programmable memory devices within the system memory and thus allows complete programmability of those devices. The expansion channel provides data and programming access to a memory device subsequently added to the system memory.

Abstract: Control data for a device driver that is stored on a first non-volatile memory is updated by writing new driver control data to a second non-volatile memory. In an embodiment, the new driver control data may be stored on the second non-volatile memory without modifying the control data on the first non-volatile memory. In a further embodiment, a processor reads non-volatile from the first non-volatile memory into a system memory, reads supplemental driver control data from the second non-volatile memory, and updates the set of driver control data in the system memory based on the supplemental driver control data.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for portable data storage and transfer through a simplified device interface. The operations of the device are restricted, in order to increase the ease of use of the device, and in order to provide certain core functions. These core functions include reading data, writing data and exchanging data with a similar device and/or with an external computer. The device features a minimal set of hardware components for accomplishing these functions, such as a data processor of some type, a memory storage medium or media, and a data exchange mechanism, which may optionally be an infrared port for example.

Abstract: A dynamic allocation of available ASV buffer memory space is performed on each pack in a DVD-A bitstream one pack at a time. Concurrently, an ASV buffer table is updated for each type of data pack currently being processed. The ASV buffer table includes pointers corresponding to the various fields that form a particular ASV frame. In this way, only that memory that is required to store a particular ASV frame is used thereby allowing the ASV buffer memory to be configured on the fly in such a manner as to efficiently store the required ASV frame data. When a particular ASV frame is to be displayed, or otherwise processed, the ASV buffer table is accessed, and the particular pointers for a specific ASV frame are looked up and used to access the desired ASV frame.

Abstract: In a computer system including a disk subsystem having channel interface compatible to a count-key-data format and a SCSI interface compatible to a fixed length data format, the disk subsystem is connected to a CPU controlled by an open system operating system through the SCSI interface, and connected to an other CPU controlled by a main frame operating system through the channel interface. The CPU is provided with a CKD record access library and a VSAM access library which accesses in a FBA format the VSAM record stored by the other CPU in a CKD format in the disk subsystem and allows the access by an application program of the CPU as a VSAM record based on VSAM control information.

Abstract: It is provided a data storage device which reads data from and/or writes data to a memory medium, comprising: a storage unit for storing a first identifier; an identifier acquisition unit for acquiring a second identifier recorded on a memory medium which is set to said data storage device; and a controller for comparing said first identifier with said second identifier, and controlling to access to said memory medium for data reading and/or writing according to a relationship between said first identifier and said second identifier. For example, when the first identifier does not match the second identifier, the controller inhibits access to the memory medium for the reading and writing of data. But when the first and the second identifiers match, the controller permits access to the memory medium for the reading and writing of data.

Abstract: The invention provides a flash memory integrated circuit device that is connectable to a computer via a universal serial bus. The universal serial bus (USB) has become a standard serial interface, which allows data to be stored in and read from an external memory device at high speed. Therefore, it is advantageous to combine the benefits of a flash memory device with the speed of the universal serial bus. In addition, by designing the flash memory device with a USB interface, the flash memory device appears as a standard USB storage device, which permits the host and flash memory device to connect and interact with ease.

Abstract: When a serial external interface receives a port address from a host device, a CPU reads data at all device addresses corresponding to the port address from a secondary storage medium and writes the data to a primary storage medium. When receiving a device address from host device, serial external interface transmits the data stored in primary storage medium and corresponding to the device address to host device. Therefore, it is possible to transmit the data to host device in short time after receiving the lowest address.

Abstract: A DVD player with card reader of the present invention comprises a DVD player, an adapting interface and a card reader. The audio and video data, originally played by the computer, DSC or MP3 player, are accessed by a single DVD player with card reader. The audio and video data can be produced to television or audio set by the DVD player of the present invention.

Abstract: A storage manager platform for a data processing system. The storage manager platform, located within the same housing as a host central processing unit, is connected to receive data from both the processor and a mass storage unit such as a disk drive. The storage manager provides a programming environment that is independent of the host operating system, to permit implementation of storage management functions such as performance, data protection and other functions. Commands destined for the storage manager platform are provided as in-band messages that pass as normal I/O requests, through the disk storage interface, in a manner that is independent of any host system bus in configuration. In certain disclosed embodiments of the invention the application performance enhancement functions can include caching, boot enhancement, Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) processing and the like.

Abstract: An integrated data storage control system provides, in a single integrated circuit, RDC, servo logic, ATA interface, microprocessor, and other formerly discrete components in one highly integrated system design. The integrated circuit is rendered using a single integrated circuit technology type (e.g., digital CMOS) for all components. Analog and digital circuits are combined in such a way as to eliminate or reduce noise or interference in digital circuits from analog circuit components. Individual elements may have their outputs and inputs MUXed together such that individual elements can be selectively switched (during testing modes) such that the integrated circuit emulates or behaves in the same or similar manner as one of the prior art components. The present invention may be applied to magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs) or other types of storage devices such as floppy disk controllers, optical disk drives (e.g., CD-ROMs and the like), tape drives, and other data storage devices.

Abstract: An information processing system is provided. The information processing system includes a drive apparatus and a host apparatus in which the drive apparatus executes a command issued by the host apparatus. The information processing system further includes an interface part for reading a command from a command queue including commands issued by the host apparatus and sending the command to the drive apparatus.

Abstract: It is desirable that using a computer system, which administrates multiple storages, the storages are operated efficiently to minimize free spaces on the storages by assigning effectively the free spaces to the users with a wide variety of needs, resulting in their higher satisfaction.

Abstract: A volume translation apparatus and method are provided. The volume translation apparatus resides between host machines and the physical storage devices accessed by the host machines. This volume translation apparatus may perform volume translation for the control path and optionally the data path of input/output (I/O) requests sent by the host machines to the physical storage devices. Control path translation ensures that the correct physical volumes are mounted for accessing by the I/O request. Because the physical volume may be different from that requested by the host machine application, the translation device includes a mapping that represents which physical volumes represent copies of the virtual volume used by the host machine application.

Abstract: An improved interface between a host computer and a tape drive emulation system includes software interfaces for communicating control, configuration, and policy data and a hardware interface for providing redundancy and fan-out between the main controller and host channels.

Abstract: A disk array system comprises a plurality of controllers, each of which preferably implements a host side of an ATA interface protocol within automated circuitry to control a respective ATA disk drive. Each controller includes a command buffer for storing disk drive commands to be executed by a respective ATA drive, and includes a circuit that prefetches such commands so that a next disk drive command will be available within the command buffer when the disk drive finishes executing a current disk drive command. A delay that commonly occurs when an ATA disk drive retrieves a next disk drive command is thereby reduced or avoided. The disk drive commands are preferably dispatched to the controllers by a microcontroller over a control bus that is separate from a bus used for input/output data transfers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a peripheral device that integrally provides a program relating to the peripheral device, and may be connected to a computer system. The peripheral device includes a peripheral function subsystem for providing a peripheral device functionality. The peripheral device further includes a solid-state memory device storing a program relating to the peripheral device in a format used by disk drives. When the peripheral device is connected to a computer system, the program stored in the solid-state memory device is immediately available, and can be read by the computer system as though it was stored on a disk drive connected to the computer system.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus are described which provide for a consistent, continuous and/or repeating signal. Such a repeating signal may be used to set the controls for a processor. For example, an embodiment of a preview sampler described herein allows a user to repeatedly output a data segment into a processor so that the processor can be adjusted to achieve a desired effect. Such a method and apparatus provides improved results when compared to an individual attempting to repeatedly generate a data signal (e.g., a note or chord on a musical instrument).

Abstract: An information processing system has first and second information processing apparatuses. The first information processing apparatus has an internal auxiliary storage device. The second information processing apparatus does not include an internal auxiliary storage device. Both information processing apparatuses have a main storage device, communication unit and auxiliary-storage-device control unit. The second information processing apparatus has an emulation mechanism for carrying out CKD-FBA format conversion to a series of CCW commands. Specifically, a command is set to access the internal auxiliary storage device and the emulation mechanism transmits the command set to the first information processing apparatus having the internal auxiliary storage device by way of the communication unit of the second information processing apparatus and a communication path.

Abstract: A file server provides transaction processing capabilities previously supplied by the operating system of a host computer. On-disk file system metadata is changed only at commit time, and a transaction log protects the transition. The disk state can only be a consistent state, resulting from a commit operation. All disk-block reservation and pre-allocation mapping are in the memory, and after a crash, they are automatically discarded. The file server therefore relieves the client of processing burden and also reduces network traffic. In addition, the file server can more efficiently perform the transaction processing capabilities and reduce the frequency of access to storage by judicious allocation of file system blocks and transfer of file system blocks between file system objects, cache memory, and the transaction log. The differentiation between preallocation states and allocation states of in-memory file system blocks also permits application programs to more efficiently transfer data between files.

Abstract: A protocol controller disposed between switches in a fiber channel fabric switch circuit and disk drive units for converting a protocol to enable one-to-one connectivity established between controllers and disk drive units.

Abstract: A system and method for testing audio components of an optical disc drive. The method of testing the optical disc drive with a removable storage media includes receiving at least one command to test the optical disc drive while the removable storage media is absent and generating an audio tone signal within the optical disc drive in response to receiving the at least one command. The system for implementing the method of testing the optical disc drive with the removable storage media includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and the optical disc drive coupled to the processor and the memory. The optical disc drive is configurable to internally generate an audio tone signal in response to receiving a command during an absence of the removable storage media.

Abstract: An input/output (I/O) host adapter in an I/O system processes I/O requests from a host system to a plurality of I/O devices. The host adapter includes a circuit to automatically transfer I/O requests from host memory to adapter memory. The host adapter also includes a circuit to automatically transfer I/O responses from adapter memory to host memory.

Abstract: A method which includes selecting a boot device priority sequence, and configuring—in response to the boot device priority sequence—an I/O controller such that a MASTER or SLAVE designation of at least one IDE device conforms to the boot device priority sequence. A computer system which includes at least one printed circuit board operably connecting at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one I/O controller, and at least one IDE controller; at least one IDE bus operably connecting at least two IDE device connectors with the at least one IDE controller; and at least one cable select signal pin of each of the at least two IDE device connectors operably coupled to the at least one I/O controller.

Abstract: A method and system for eliminating null I/O operations that transfer null data during processing of FORMAT and INITIAL-COPY I/O device commands and READ and WRITE I/O requests by an I/O device. Indications of whether or not a particular logical unit is sparsely populated with data are stored in the I/O device, along with bit maps indicating null tracks for sparse logical units. By referencing the stored indications and bit maps, the I/O device controller can recognize null operations that may be safely eliminated, saving processing and data transfer resources and eliminating time delays.

Abstract: A demonstration page system in an apparatus including a recycling internal memory device is provided. Demonstration page information is stored in the recycling internal memory device. An output device is provided to output a demonstration page. A user interface is also provided. The user interface is adapted and constructed to selectively retrieve demonstration page information from the recycling internal memory device and send the demonstration page information to the output device to be output. The recycling internal memory device can be provided as non-volatile RAM, such as Flash memory. When the apparatus is a multi-function peripheral including fax capabilities, the demonstration page information can be stored in fax storage memory. An overwrite mechanism can be provided to write over the demonstration page info stored in the recycling internal memory device when the multi-function peripheral receives its first fax. The overwrite mechanism can be embedded in firmware associated with the apparatus.

Abstract: A card-shaped electronic apparatus includes a base in the form of a substantially rectangular plate having a natural bending vibration mode, components mounted on the base, and covers attached to the base and covering the components. The base has a pair of side edge portions capable of being guided along a pair of guide rails of a card slot. Protrusions for determining the position where the base contacts the guide rails are located individually near positions corresponding to nodes of the bending vibration mode on each side edge portion, and project in the thickness direction of the base.

Abstract: This invention is provided to simplify building a personal computer having a CD-ROM apparatus as an external memory and using an IDE-BUS I/F for connecting to the CD-ROM apparatus. Thus, a hard disk unit is connected to a master partition of the IDE-BUS I/F of the personal computer, and the CD-ROM apparatus is connected to a slave partition of the IDE-BUS I/F.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring memory devices. A disclosed bus controller includes a storage location and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to perform an initialization operation when a value indicating that initialization operation is stored in the storage location. The initialization operation is selected from one of a set of initialization operations that the control circuit is capable of performing.

Abstract: An I/O expansion device for additional inputs and outputs, and an apparatus and a methed for applying this device. The device includes a connector (CN1) for the connection with a parallel port, a plurality of 4-bit input/output ports, and an I/O expansion circuit (100) having a 4-bit data bus for data transfer between a plurality of 4-bit input/output ports and the connector. The I/O expansion circuit (100) includes a control input CTRL including a strobe PROG for controlling fetch of the command for selecting the input/output ports and an operation mode, a data input DIN that recieves a command in accordance with the state transition of the strobe PROG and data to be transferred to the input/output port selected by the command, and a data output DOUT for giving the state of the selected port through the connector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for suspending communications with a hard disk drive in order to transfer data relating to the hard disk drive between the host and an intermediate communications gateway, thereby isolating the hard disk drive from the bus while this data is transferred. The data transferred between the host and the intermediate communications gateway may include control signals transferred from the host to the intermediate communications gateway and status signals transferred from the intermediate communications gateway to the host. In one embodiment, normal communications with an IDE hard disk drive are suspended upon the assertion of the reset line of the AT bus. As such, the state of the reset line may be controlled such that the reset line is no longer merely utilized as a system reset but, instead, is used to define the state of communications between the host and the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A computer comprising a housing; a circuit board supported in the housing; a plurality of slot connectors supported on the circuit board; a first card configured for sliding receipt in one of the slot connectors; a processor mounted on the first card; a second card configured for sliding receipt in one of the slot connectors; a memory mounted on the second card; and an optical interconnect coupling the first card to the second card, the processor being configured to communicate with the memory via the optical interconnect. A method of assembling a computer, the method comprising supporting a circuit board in a housing; supporting a plurality of slot connectors on the circuit board; mounting a processor on a first card; inserting the first card into a first one of the slot connectors; mounting a memory on a second card; inserting the second card into a second one of the slot connectors; and optically coupling the first card to the second card for optical communications between the processor and the memory.

Abstract: A centralized network storage system comprises a plurality of diskless clients and a server. A transforming device in the client, such as an interface card installed in the IDE or PCI expansion slot of the client, receives a hard disk access command from the client and packs the identity number and the command into a package and delivers the package to a server. A centralized storage device in the server is divided into a plurality of storage areas, each of which respectively corresponds to one of the clients.

Abstract: A system and method for replacing cached data for a computer system utilizing one or more storage devices is disclosed. The storage devices are divided into a plurality of areas or bins. Each bin is preferably the same size. A Window Access Table (WAT) is an array stored in memory that contains all the time windows for each bin. Each time window holds a frequency value corresponding to the number of times the bin has been accessed during the time period corresponding to that time window. A hot spot algorithm is used to calculate a hot spot value hsf(x) for each bin based on its associated frequency values listed in the WAT. The hot spot algorithm uses scaling coefficients to weight the frequency values based on the time window. Each line in cache will therefore have an associated bin for which a hot spot value hsf(x) has been calculated. This data may be stored in a hot spot table.

Abstract: A first host computer writes data as an object of transfer and its location information to a storage subsystem. A second host computer reads out the data as an object of transfer which has been written to said storage subsystem on the basis of the location information thus written thereto. As a result, the data transfer between the host computers can be carried out employing the storage subsystem.

Abstract: A disk array system comprises a host computer, a plurality of parallel I/O interface disk drives on backplane, for example, ATA or SCSI disk drives, and a disk array controller. The disk array controller includes a local PCI bus and serial I/O interface controllers for coupling the parallel I/O disk drives to the host computer. The disk array controller is operatively configured to control the parallel I/O interface disk drives by the serial I/O interface controllers. The serial I/O interface controllers act as bus masters with respect to the local PCI bus, and access the parallel I/O disk drives through the local PCI bus read/write cycle operation. By way of controlling the parallel I/O interface disk drives through serial I/O interface controllers, the limitation on the effective transmission length inherently in the parallel I/O interface cable is loosened and the disk array controller is capable of controlling more disk drives.