Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-Packard Company

Joel B Larner

Charles Robert Weirauch

Gregory V Hofer

Michael B Jacobson

Mark John Bianchi

Michael J O'Brien

David J Staudacher

Elen S Hunt

Wendell D Martin

A data storage medium includes a data structure, called a disk control block, used for administration and control information for the data storage medium. One medium may contain multiple different disk control blocks, each addressing a different function. Each disk control block includes a control block identifier that specifies the function of the disk control block. Each control block also includes a set of standard access control parameters. If a drive encounters an unrecognized disk control block, the drive can still decode the standard control parameters, so that the drive behavior is not inconsistent with the requirements of the unrecognized disk control block.

Data structure for control information on rewriteable data storage medium

Data structure for control information on rewriteable data storage media

A digital imaging device, such as a digital camera, minimizes shutter lag by determining some capture parameters, such as focus and exposure settings, before a user of the device has indicated that a photograph is to be taken. The parameters are updated when the device becomes substantially still before the indication that a photograph is to be taken.

Method and apparatus for reducing shutter lag in a digital imaging device

Digital cameras and methods that provide for a rapid camera power-on sequence. A warm-sleep state is defined in which the camera and nearly all of its internal components are shut down, yet just enough information is retained within high speed volatile storage and processing units to rapidly return the camera to full operating state. The warm-sleep state is managed to consume a minimum amount of power to keep the vital information intact. Upon receipt of a power-on indication, the camera then transitions from the warm-sleep state to full operation by simply activating the processing units, and continuing operation from the state it was in immediately prior to the power-off request.

Method for rapid power-on to first picture in a digital camera

A digital imaging device performs automatic focus and exposure adjustments based on high-resolution frames when a scene change has been detected based on the analysis of low-resolution frames. The digital imaging device reduces battery power consumption while simultaneously shortening shutter lag.

Method and apparatus for continuous focus and exposure in a digital imaging device

Non-volatile write-once memory, is used for storage of variable data. In an example embodiment, segmented flash memory is used, in which individual segments can be erased. At least two segments are used. When a segment is nearly full, or when the segment is corrupted, the latest values are written to a new segment. During initialization, all variables of interest are written into RAM with default values. The flash segment being used is read sequentially from oldest entry to newest entry, and values from flash memory are used to overwrite values (or pointers to values) in RAM. RAM then contains (or points to) the most recent value for every variable. When a new segment is written, the new segment is written using the values from RAM. The method provides for identification of the latest (current) value for each stored item of information, provides for adding new types of data and deleting old types of data, provides for action when a memory segment is full, and provides for recovery from power-failure.

Use of erasable non-volatile memory for storage of changing information

A system and method that allows for up to fifty-six devices to be connected to a SCSI bus where there does not have to be any modification of the devices in terms of the SCSI interface. The Logical Unit Number of the SCSI ID number provided on a master SCSI bus is used as the subordinate bus SCSI ID number on a subordinate SCSI bus. Remapping of the data from the master SCSI bus to the subordinate SCSI bus is accomplished using this Logical Unit Number. In this way, direct communications appears to be occurring between a target device connected to the subordinate SCSI bus and an initiator device connected to the master SCSI bus. The Selection and Reselection cycles of the SCSI protocol are accommodate without any modification.

Device to translate logical unit number communications on one SCSI bus

In a computer system employing a common bus that is shared by an initiator and a plurality of targets, there is provided a method and apparatus that prevents data stored in a buffer, when one of the targets temporarily suspends a data transfer with the initiator, from being overwritten, while simultaneously minimizing the number of interrupts that must be employed to effect the data transfer. According to the disclosed invention, the initiator is interrupted by a second target only after the transfer of data from the initiator to a first target has been temporarily suspended, and only after the second target has reselected the bus. After the second target has reselected the bus, data read from the second target and transferred to the initiator is stored in a synchronous stack in the initiator to prevent any data remaining in the buffer from being overwritten. Data stored in the buffer is then stored in a predetermined location, such as RAM, in the initiator so that the data stored in the synchronous stack can be transferred to the buffer without loss of data.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Joel B Larner