O2micro International Limited

Solidone USA Corporation

Aaron Reynoso

Sterling D Du

James Lam

Reginia Chan

Zhe Wu

A computer subsystem of a computer includes a CPU, RAM, display, storage device, input device(s), and a digital-audio generating IC. A CD-ROM subsystem of the computer includes a CD-ROM drive and CD-ROM control buttons for controlling CD-ROM drivers operation while playing audio CDs. An audio-interface IC of the CD-ROM subsystem couples a bus of the computer subsystem to the CD-ROM drive, and to the control buttons. The audio-interface IC, in one operating mode, relays commands and data between the bus and the CD-ROM drive. A second operating mode permits turning the computer subsystem off while the audio-interface IC autonomously responds to the control buttons and transmits commands to the CD-ROM drive for playing an audio CD.

Low power CD-ROM player with CD-ROM subsystem for portable computer capable of isolating digital computer bus from CD-ROM drive

A low current detector using magnetoresistive sensor is used in a ground fault detector that opens a current carrying circuit when an unbalanced or dangerous condition occurs in the circuit. The current circuit has windings wrapped around a toroidal member of magnetic material having a cross sectional gap. First magnetic flux lines induced in the toroidal member by the circuit project from the gap toward a permanent magnet having second emergent magnetic flux lines that bend the first flux lines in a flux line mesh zone when an unbalanced current exists in the current carrying circuit. The flux lines are non-existent in the gap of the toroidal member when the circuit is in a balanced or non-fault state. A magnetoresistive sensor is disposed in the mesh zone in a position producing a signal indicative of an unbalanced condition caused by a current fault. A circuit breaker, connected to flux sensor responds to the signal indicating an unbalanced condition by opening the circuit.

Low magnitude current sensor using unbalanced flux line detection

Low power CD-ROM player with CD-ROM subsystem for portable computer capable of playing audio CDs without supply energy to CPU

A computer subsystem of a computer includes a CPU, RAM, display, storage device, input device(s), and a digital-audio generating IC. A CD-ROM subsystem of the computer includes a CD-ROM drive and CD-ROM control buttons for controlling CD-ROM drive's operation while playing audio CDs. An audio-interface IC of the CD-ROM subsystem couples a bus of the computer subsystem to the CD-ROM drive, and to the control buttons. The audio-interface IC, in one operating mode, relays commands and data between the bus and the CD-ROM drive. A second operating mode permits turning the computer subsystem off while the audio-interface IC autonomously responds to the control buttons and transmits commands to the CD-ROM drive for playing an audio CD.

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Aaron Reynoso