Gateway, Inc.

Ast Research, Inc.

Michael G Smith

L Randall Mote, Jr

A data storage device activity state is sampled and used to control a remote data storage device activity indicator. A disk drive activity signal is sampled by hardware either based on an edge transition of the activity signal, or on a periodic basis. If the state of the activity signal changes, state change data is sent via a controller to a keyboard. A disk drive status light on the keyboard is controlled by the change data. The controller is a USB host controller that sends the state change data to a USB function that controls the status light.

Drive activity sampling and notification

This invention describes a method and apparatus to determine a safe rotational speed for a CD/DVD drive by detecting the amount of vibration of the disk by measuring the operating conditions of the spindle motor. A disk drive includes a motor for rotating the disk and an apparatus for monitoring the current or back emf in the windings of the motor. When the current or the back emf varies from a normal level, the disk is vibrating and a signal indicating a vibration condition is sent to the spindle motor driver. The maximum speed that the disk rotated is slowed until a vibrating condition is no longer detected and the rotational speed associated with a particular disk is based dynamically on the amount of vibration detected. Disks may also be identified that cannot spin a minimum rate of speed.

Method of CD/DVD vibration detection by monitoring motor conditions

A disk drive system includes a control bus, a processor and a controller attached to the control bus. An error table and an audio signal table are in communication with the controller and processor. An audio output device is attached to the bus of the disk drive. The audio signal table outputs information to the audio output device to produce an audible output in response to the controller detecting a particular error in the error table. The audio output can be digital and may be directed to an interface with a computer system such as a SPDIF output. The audio output can also be converted to an analog signal and directed to a component on the motherboard of a computer system. The disk drive system can also include a software instruction set for changing the error status of an error message to the status associated with a compact disk.

Audibly enabled error status

A stackable pass-through signal connector comprises an array of first connection elements and an array of second connection elements. The second connection elements are physically aligned with the array of first connection elements, and the second connection elements are, operable to electrically couple with first connection elements of another stackable non-shared signal connector. Interconnections between the first connection elements and the second connection elements connect first connection elements that are electrically offset from the second connection elements of the stackable non-shared signal connector.

Offset stackable pass-through signal connector

The present invention is directed to an apparatus, system and method for detecting a user's oral health habits and providing the oral health data over a network for access by a remote user. For example, the user may utilize an oral health apparatus to brush his teeth. During brushing, oral health data may be obtained relating to the user's oral health habits and usage of the oral health apparatus. The oral health data may then be provided over a network to a remote user, such as the user's dental health professional or parent in the case of a young child.

Method and apparatus for providing oral health data

A method and a system of maintaining a rechargeable battery for an electronic device capable of utilizing the battery as a power source are disclosed. Usage of the battery is monitored. Based on this monitored usage, a user of the electronic device is notified of the need for performing a conditioning or deep discharge cycle on the battery. The user is provided with a user interface for scheduling the conditioning cycle on the battery. The conditioning cycle is then performed as scheduled, provided that the electronic device is coupled to an external power source and/or is in a mode appropriate for performing the conditioning cycle on the battery (e.g., shut down or standby mode). Further, the life capacity of the battery may be monitored, and the user may be notified of the need to replace the battery if the life capacity of the battery falls below a predetermined threshold.

Automatic conditioning of battery in battery-powered apparatus

A docking station for connection with a notebook computer includes a non-volatile memory chip which stores a serial number, an identification number, and configuration information pertaining to the docking station. When a notebook computer engages with the docking station, an electrical connection is provided between a microprocessor within the notebook computer and the non-volatile memory within the docking station so that the microprocessor within the computer 110 can interrogate the memory within the docking station. Based upon the information contained within the non-volatile memory, the software operating system of the notebook computer determines whether or not the notebook computer is compatible with the docking station. Furthermore, if selected configuration information is stored within the non-volatile memory within the docking station, this configuration information can be utilized by the software system of the notebook computer to allocate system resources.

Docking station with serially accessed memory that is powered by a

A distributed direct memory access (DMA) system includes specially configured hardware connections between at least one slave DMA controller and a central, or master, DMA controller. The specially configured hardware connections allow the slave DMA controllers to request channel configuration information from the central DMA controller when peripheral devices under the control of the slave DMA controllers make a DMA request. After the channel information is transferred from the master DMA controller to the slave DMA controller, the slave DMA controller is able to process DMA requests for the peripheral devices under its control. In one particular embodiment, the master DMA controller is located in a notebook computer and the slave DMA controller is located in a docking station. The master DMA controller and slave DMA controller communicate when the notebook computer is engaged with the docking station.

Automatic control of distributed DMAs in a PCI bus system supporting

An interface apparatus provides an auxiliary interface between an electronic base unit and a circuit card. The auxiliary interface apparatus may, for example, provide an RF interface between a notebook computer and a PCMCIA circuit card. The auxiliary interface apparatus comprises an auxiliary base connector attached to the base unit, an auxiliary card connector attached to the circuit card, and an actuator device. The actuator device moves the auxiliary base connector between a first position, in which the auxiliary base connector does not make contact with the auxiliary card connector, and a second position, in which the auxiliary base connector does make contact with the auxiliary card connector. The actuator device preferably comprises a rack and pinion device, where the auxiliary base connector is attached to the rack. A pinion gear engages with the rack to move the auxiliary base connector between the first position and the second position. The auxiliary base connector includes a convex, substantially hemispherical surface. The auxiliary card connector includes a concave, substantially hemispherical surface with a plurality of conductor elements.

Growing community of inventors

Tustin, CA, United States of America

Michael G Smith