em Lubrication arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A lubrication system for a work tool, such as a demolition hammer, on a machine, such as an excavator or a loader. The lubrication system is mounted on drive line fluid connectors of the machine, such as hydraulic or pneumatic hoses. The lubrication system is fully supported by the connectors only and does not require mounting to the machine itself. The lubrication system includes a movable spool powered by the drive fluid of the machine, the spool reciprocating within a sleeve to force lubricant through passages to the work tool. Full Article
em Containment assembly for flowable materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combination usable together in an automotive vehicle includes an engine block, a cover, and a band clamp. The engine block includes an opening configured to provide access to an interior volume, a first flange having a periphery that surrounds the opening, and a first engagement surface disposed proximate the first flange. The cover includes a second flange disposed around a periphery of the cover, and a second engagement surface disposed proximate the second flange, the second engagement surface configured to mate with the first engagement surface, wherein when the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface are disposed in engagement with each other the first flange and the second flange in combination define an exterior surface having a first profile. The band clamp includes an interior surface with a second profile that is complementary with the first profile. Full Article
em Oil pump arrangement in a transmission By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An arrangement of an oil pump (8) and its drive in a transmission (1) that has a transmission housing (2) and at least one transmission shaft (3). The oil pump (8) is arranged coaxially with the at least one transmission shaft (3). The oil pump (8) is arranged on and can be driven by the at least one transmission shaft (3). Full Article
em System and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system and method for lubricating gears in a wind turbine blade pitch drive are provided, wherein the pitch drive comprises a drive pinion gear with gear teeth that engage a pitch bearing gear coupled to a respective wind turbine blade. A grease distributor is configured to mount onto and rotate with the pinion gear, and is configured to deliver grease from an external grease supply to at least one valley defined between adjacent teeth of the pinion gear in a contact area of the pinion gear with the bearing gear without the distributor contacting inter-engaging teeth of the bearing gear. Full Article
em Gas turbine engine buffer cooling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gas turbine engine includes a heat exchanger, a bearing compartment, and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the bearing compartment. The heat exchanger exchanges heat with a bleed airflow to provide a conditioned airflow. The bearing compartment is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A first passageway communicates the conditioned airflow from the heat exchanger to the bearing compartment. A second passageway communicates the conditioned airflow from the bearing compartment to the nozzle assembly. Full Article
em Method to display a foot ornamentation system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method to display a foot ornamentation system includes obtaining a foot ornamentation system that has a bottom band constructed from an elastomeric material for compressing the system snugly against a foot. The system has a first side panel and a second side panel that are flexible for conforming to a contour of a foot side. The system has a decorative member with an interior surface that has a smooth profile and a non-slip surface for interfacing with the foot top surface. The method includes donning the system by expanding an interior open area of the system via the stretchable bottom band then sliding over an end of a foot into a first position where the decorative member is located on a foot top surface. The method includes donning footwear with an open top that allows the system to be displayed. Full Article
em Interchangeable cleat system for footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member. Full Article
em System and method for toning footwear By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for toning footwear include a combination of a support ring, an insole with a cushioning material configured to contact a user's foot, and an outsole with one or more convex regions to create instability in the footwear. The support ring or stiffener band can be coupled to the outsole between the insole on one side and the forefoot and heel toning convexities on the other side. In some embodiments, the stiffener band can be formed of a material different from and stiffer than the material of the outsole. In accordance with various embodiments, when a user wears the toning footwear while walking, an increase in both the toning and strengthening of the calves, hamstrings and/or glutes results. Full Article
em Article of footwear with support members and connecting members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear includes an upper and a midsole positioned beneath the upper. The midsole includes an upper portion formed of a first material and a lower portion formed of a second material and positioned beneath the upper portion. The lower portion includes a plurality of support members spaced from adjacent support members. A plurality of connecting members extend between and are connected to adjacent support members, with the connecting members having a height that is less than a height of the support members to which the connecting members are connected, and an upper surface that is substantially flush with an upper surface of the support members to which the connecting members are connected. Full Article
em Shoe having removable and interchangeable heel assemblies with kit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A removable heel assembly, a shoe having a removable shoe assembly and kit containing a shoe body having a heel base and a plurality a assorted removable and interchangeable heels. The heel assembly includes the heel base and a removable and interchangeable heel. The removability relies upon at least one tapered groove ending in a dimple. The heel utilizes a locking connector which contains components which fit within a cavity within the heel base and which locks in place upon engagement thereof when the components engage the at least one tapered, groove and dimple. Full Article
em Article of footwear with a cavity viewing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sole structure for an article of footwear and a method of making the sole structure is disclosed. The sole structure can include an outsole and a midsole. The midsole includes a cavity with a protruding portion. A U-shaped transparent member is configured to cover the cavity so that the protruding portion remains visible from within the cavity. Full Article
em Article of footwear with a ball contacting member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with a ball contacting member is disclosed. The ball contacting member enhances the ability of a wearer to kick a ball with a low trajectory. The ball contacting member can be attached to the article of footwear in various different ways. Full Article
em Foot manifolds, apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatuses, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site on a foot are provided. An apparatus may include an insole and a tissue contacting surface covering at least a portion of the insole. At least one portion of the tissue contacting surface is removable to form a void. The apparatus may also include a reduced-pressure interface for receiving reduced pressure from a reduced-pressure source, and at least one flow channel fluidly coupled to the reduced-pressure interface and the void. Full Article
em Shoe with ventilation system obtained by direct injection method on upper and mould therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe (1) is disclosed comprising: an insole (1) fixed to the upper (T) and comprising a slot (10) in the heel area and a plurality of holes (11) in the plantar surface area. A ventilation system (2) comprises: a pump (4) disposed in the slot (10) of the insole, a membrane (3) fixed in the lower surface of the insole (1) under the holes (11), a connection pipe (20) connecting the chamber (40) of the pump with the spaces (32) of the membrane and an outlet conduit (21) connecting the chamber of the pump (40) with the outside to exhaust air. An outsole (9) obtained by directly injecting expandable material in a mold covers the ventilation system, insole and lower part of the upper (T). A mold (S) for performing said direct injection is also disclosed. Full Article
em Article of footwear with support element By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear with an undulating sole provides a different and unique ride and/or feel to the article of footwear, while also providing a unique aesthetic appeal and adequate cushioning and support. The midsole has an undulating shape substantially similar to a sine wave with a series alternating peaks and troughs, and may include one or more support elements disposed on the midsole to provide desired stiffness or cushioning properties to the midsole. Full Article
em Removable shoe wedge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A shoe wedge includes a support structure. The support structure includes two longitudinally extending wall portions that are biased towards one another such that the wall portions define a channel extending between the wall portions and an opening that extends from an upper surface of the support structure to a lower surface of the support structure. The opening has a larger cross sectional area at the upper surface than at the lower surface. The shoe wedge further includes a body portion that extends from the support structure. The body portion is configured with a surface that substantially conforms to a portion of a sole of a shoe. Full Article
em Boot assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A boot assembly for use with a dry suit includes an external puncture resistant boot and a dual-layered insert. The dual-layered insert comprises a thermal sock worn over the foot of a diver and a water-proof, non-stretch over-sized outer sock worn over the thermal sock. The outer sock is over-sized so that it accommodates a wide spectrum of diver foot sizes but fits comfortably within the volume of the external boot. Full Article
em Shoe spring and shock absorbing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Footwear with a powerful arch spring made with spring boards that can be utilized by the heel and ball of the foot areas during impact for efficient energy storage and return during walking, running and other forms of self-propelled locomotion. The spring boards can extend into the toe area of the footwear to create a toe spring with efficient energy storage and return. Embodiments of the present invention combine the spring boards which are excellent for storing and returning energy with a shock absorbing material which can also function as a secondary spring in order to achieve high efficiency energy returns while maintaining comfort and stability with the footwear. Full Article
em Fluid-filled chamber with a tensile member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluid-filled chamber, which may be incorporated into articles of footwear and other products, may include an outer barrier and a tensile member. The outer barrier may have an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a peripheral edge. The upper portion and lower portion may be bonded together in a bonded region spaced inward from the peripheral edge. The bonded region may have a convex shape. The tensile member may be located within the outer barrier, and may be formed to have at least one gap. The bonded region may extend at least partially into the gap. Full Article
em Support features for footwear ground engaging members By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An article of footwear may include an upper and a sole structure fixedly attached to a bottom portion of the upper. The sole structure may include a sole component including a baseplate having a bottom surface and at least a first ground engaging member extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, the first ground engaging member having a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. In addition, the sole structure may also include a tapered support structure having a substantially pyramidal shape and extending substantially downward from the bottom surface of the baseplate, abutting the first ground engaging member at a side portion, and partially surrounding the first ground engaging member such that a portion of the first ground engaging member is exposed between edges of the tapered support structure. Also, the tapered support structure may extend downward from the baseplate less than the first ground engaging member. Full Article
em Energy-return shoe system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An energy return shoe system has a shoe portion, a flexible lower sole portion and a toe mechanism. The toe mechanism has an upper toe plate, a lower toe plate, and at least two toe arms. The upper toe plate is affixed to the shoe portion, the lower toe plate is affixed to the lower sole, and the toe arms are pivotally affixed at ends to the upper toe plate and the lower toe plate and are substantially parallel to each other. The lower sole is made of a flexible material and there is at least one spring mechanism that urges the shoe portion away from the lower sole. As the wearer steps down, energy of the wearer's mass is stored in one or more spring devices and as the wearer begins to lift their foot, the stored energy is returned to help push that foot off the ground. Full Article
em High rate, long cycle life electrochemical energy storage devices By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electrochemical energy storage device includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The anode includes a capacitive material as a majority component, and further includes an electrochemically active material as a minority component, such that an operating potential of the anode is configured according to a reaction potential of the electrochemically active material. Full Article
em Electronic personal thermal control apparatus and system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An electronic personal thermal control apparatus and method may provide heating and cooling for a user. A power source may provide power to a thermal module that is capable of heating or cooling a heat transfer component to a desired temperature. The heating or cooling may be managed by a controller. The components may be placed in a housing. The apparatus may be placed at any suitable position on a user's body, such as the wrist or ankle(s). The housing of the apparatus may be incorporated or combined with clothing, such as wristband(s), apparel, jackets, footwear, or the like. Full Article
em Methods for removing heat from enclosed spaces with high internal heat generation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods are provided for cooling data centers based on a cooperative system including a plurality of Indirect Air-Side Economizers, also referred to as Recirculation Air Cooling Units, that are advantageously operated in conjunction with one or more Side Stream Filtration Units or filters inclusive to a portion of the IASE/RACUs, and one or more Make-Up Air Dehumidification/Humidification Units for the introduction of ventilation air and control of humidity within the enclosed space. An objective of the systems and methods according to this disclosure is to provide the necessary rejection of heat, removal of particulate from the air, and control of the absolute moisture content of the air within a data center. Full Article
em Ice imaging system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface. Full Article
em Condenser cooling system and method including solar absorption chiller By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system configured to thermally regulate exhaust portions of a power plant system (e.g. steam turbine) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes: a condenser adapted to connect to and thermally regulate exhaust portions of a steam turbine; and a cooling system operably connected to the condenser and adapted to supply a cooling fluid to the condenser, the cooling system including a solar absorption chiller adapted to adjust a temperature of the cooling fluid. Full Article
em Slide assembly for refrigerator storage drawer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A slide assembly for a drawer inside a refrigerator employs both side and central rollers which control both horizontal and vertical movement of the drawer through a first set of rollers employed at front and rear portions at each side of the drawer to control vertical movement within side tracks while the drawer is moved between an extended position and a retracted position. A second set of rollers is mounted along axes which are arranged 90 degrees relative to the first set of rollers and underneath the drawer. This second set of rollers control side-by-side movement of the drawer as it is opened and closed. In one embodiment, the second set of rollers is mounted in a refrigerated compartment and travel within a track or guideway mounted on the bottom of the drawer. Full Article
em Temperature control system with thermoelectric device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain disclosed embodiments pertain to controlling temperature in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, a temperature control system (TCS) can include an air channel configured to deliver airflow to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The TCS can include a one thermal energy source and a heat transfer device connected to the air channel. A first fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the thermal energy source and a thermoelectric device (TED). A second fluid circuit can circulate coolant to the TED and the heat transfer device. A bypass circuit can connect the thermal energy source to the heat transfer device. An actuator can cause coolant to circulate selectively in either the bypass circuit or the first fluid circuit and the second fluid circuit. A control device can operate the actuator when it is determined that the thermal energy source is ready to provide heat to the airflow. Full Article
em High efficiency cooling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cooling system has a cabinet and a plurality of separate cooling stages including an upstream cooling stage and a downstream cooling stage. At least the upstream cooling state is a variable capacity cooling stage. Each cooling stage has a cooling circuit. Evaporators of the cooling circuits are arranged in the cabinet so that air passes over them in serial fashion. A controller when a Call for Cooling first reaches a point where cooling is needed, operating the upstream cooling circuit to provide cooling and not the downstream cooling circuit. When the Call for Cooling has increased to a second point, the controller additionally operates the downstream cooling circuit to provide cooling. The cooling capacity at which the upstream cooling circuit is being operated is less than its full capacity when the Call for Cooling reaches the second point. Full Article
em Solid state control system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A control system to selectively control the operation of the compressor of a mini-split air conditioning system including at least one remote evaporator operatively coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant therethrough, a sensor to monitor the operation of the evaporator and to generate an operating control signal to turn-off the compressor when a predetermined operating condition is sensed at the evaporator and a condensate drain pan to receive or catch condensate from the evaporator, the control system comprising a condensate sensor disposed to sense condensate in the condensate drain pan at a predetermined level and to generate a condensate level signal fed to a battery powered control device including an isolated solid state relay coupled to the sensor by a control coupling device to generate a condensate level control signal fed to the sensor causing the sensor to generate the operating control signal fed to turn off the compressor when condensate within the condensate drain pan reaches the predetermined level. Full Article
em Method and system for the continuous or semi-continuous production of flavored ice By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An ice making system includes a flavored liquid, an ice machine and a refrigerated storage bin. The ice making system continuously produces flavored ice pieces for storage in an ice storage bin. A refrigeration system cools the ice storage bin. Full Article
em System and method for cooling heat generating components By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An assembly for cooling heat generating components, such as power electronics, computer processors and other devices. Multiple components may be mounted to a support and cooled by a flow of cooling fluid. A single cooling fluid inlet and outlet may be provided for the support, yet multiple components, including components that have different heat removal requirements may be suitably cooled. One or more manifold elements may provide cooling fluid flow paths that contact a heat transfer surface of a corresponding component to receive heat. Full Article
em Refrigeration system having dual suction port compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 08:00:00 EST A cooling system for appliances, air conditioners, and other spaces includes a compressor, and a condenser that receives refrigerant from the compressor. The system also includes an evaporator that receives refrigerant from the condenser. Refrigerant received from the condenser flows through an upstream portion of the evaporator. A first portion of the refrigerant flows to the compressor without passing through a downstream portion of the evaporator, and a second portion of the refrigerant from the upstream portion of the condenser flows through the downstream portion of the evaporator after passing through the upstream portion of the evaporator. The second portion of the refrigerant flows to the compressor after passing through the downstream portion of the evaporator. The refrigeration system may be configured to cool an appliance such as a refrigerator and/or freezer, or it may be utilized in air conditioners for buildings, motor vehicles, or other such spaces. Full Article
em Motor cooling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 22 Mar 2016 08:00:00 EDT A cooling system provided for a motor powering a compressor in a vapor compression system. The cooling system includes a housing enclosing the motor and a cavity located within the housing. A fluid circuit has a first connection with the housing configured to provide a liquid or two phase cooling fluid to the motor. The two phase cooling fluid is separable into a vapor phase portion and a liquid phase portion. The fluid circuit further has a second connection with the housing to remove cooling fluid in fluid communication with the fluid circuit. The cooling fluid conveyed through the second connection is two phase cooling fluid. The fluid circuit further has a third connection with the housing for receiving and circulating in the cavity the vapor phase portion conveyed through the second connection. Full Article
em Capability Determining Method, Capability Configuration Method, Host, Terminal Device, and System By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A capability determining method for a terminal device, a host, and a system is provided. The capability determining method includes acquiring, by the host, a capability supported by the terminal device. The method also includes determining, by the host according to the capability supported by the terminal device and a capability supported by the host, a capability supported by both the terminal device and the host, and using the capability supported by both the terminal device and the host as an overlapping capability, where the overlapping capability is used by the terminal device to perform capability configuration. The method also includes sending the overlapping capability to the terminal device. Full Article
em REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A remote control system includes computing boards and a control board. The control board includes a first network physical layer protocol conversion chip, a network signal switch module and a network signal processing module. The control board is electrically connected to the computing boards and communicated with a remote control manager. The first network physical layer protocol conversion chip is electrically connected to the remote control manager. The network signal switch module is electrically connected to the first network physical layer protocol conversion chip and the computing boards. The network signal processing module is electrically connected to the network signal switch module. Full Article
em COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH TRAIN BUS ARCHITECTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A communication system with train bus architecture is described. The communication system with the train bus architecture comprises a coupling device for transmitting a first instruction packet string having instruction packets via first path; the controlled module for receiving the first instruction packet string via first path, wherein the controlled module selects one instruction packet from the instruction packets, replaces the selected instruction packet by first response packet for forming second instruction packet string, and processes the selected instruction packet to generate a second response packet; and a terminal device for receiving the second instruction packet string via the first path, and for transmitting the second instruction packet string back to the coupling device via the at least one controlled module along a second path from the terminal device to the coupling device wherein the first path is connected to the second path to form train bus architecture. Full Article
em PHYSICAL LAYER NETWORK INTERFACE MODULE (PHY-NIM) ADAPTATION SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A physical layer network interface module (PHY-NIM) adaptation system provides a PHY-NIM device and an attachable media access control (MAC) device. The PHY-NIM device interconnects with the attachable MAC device and the attachable MAC device interconnects to a network appliance to provide at least one of network switch capabilities and MAC device capabilities for use by the network appliance. The PHY-NIM device interconnects directly to the network appliance where the network appliance has at least one of an internal network switch and an internal MAC device in a southbridge input/output (I/O) interface chip of the network appliance. Full Article
em MICROCONTROLLER PROGRAMMABLE SYSTEM ON A CHIP By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a microcontroller device having a microprocessor, programmable memory components, and programmable analog and digital blocks. The programmable analog and digital blocks are configurable based on programming information stored in the memory components. Programmable interconnect logic, also programmable from the memory components, is used to couple the programmable analog and digital blocks as needed. The advanced microcontroller design also includes programmable input/output blocks for coupling selected signals to external pins. The memory components also include user programs that the embedded microprocessor executes. These programs may include instructions for programming the digital and analog blocks “on-the-fly,” e.g., dynamically. In one implementation, there are a plurality of programmable digital blocks and a plurality of programmable analog blocks. Full Article
em COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WITH SERIAL PORTS FOR AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING DEVICE TYPES AND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS AND METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A communication system with serial ports for automatically identifying device types and communication protocols and method thereof are described. The communication system and method are capable of automatically identifying the device types and communication protocols of interface devices with different serial device numbers which are disposed in the serial port architecture. Furthermore, the drivers are capable of performing a serial communication based on the serial port architecture for matching the device types and communication protocols correspondingly, thereby reducing the development and manufacturing costs of communication system. Moreover, the user of an application program module only needs to provide the device numbers and data control information without the cooperation of hardware circuits and manufacturing technique of the interface devices to complete the automatic control and monitoring tasks of the interface devices to increase the utilization convenience. Full Article
em DOWNSTREAM DEVICE SERVICE LATENCY REPORTING FOR POWER MANAGEMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus is provided that includes a processor, a memory controller coupled to the processor to provide access to a system memory, and an interface controller to communicate with an endpoint device. The interface controller is coupled to the processor and configured to access a register of the endpoint device, the register to be mapped into a memory space of the system, the register to store a service latency tolerance value of the endpoint device. The endpoint device has a service latency tolerance value for a first state and a service latency tolerance value for a second state. The service latency tolerance value for the first state is greater than the service latency tolerance value for the second state. Full Article
em METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SYNCHRONIZING AN INDEX OF DATA BLOCKS STORED IN A STORAGE SYSTEM USING A SHARED STORAGE MODULE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A storage system includes a first and second control modules (CMs) connected to a client and a storage module over a communication fabric. In response to a data fragment written to the storage module, the first CM is to create a table of contents (TOC) entry in a TOC page maintained in a first storage partition of the storage module, update its FTL map, determine whether the TOC page contains a predetermined number of TOC entries, and in response to determining that the TOC page contains the predetermined number of TOC entries, send a control signal to the second CM via an inter-processor link. In response to the control signal received from the first CM via the inter-processor link, the second CM is to copy the TOC page from the first storage partition to a memory associated with the second CM to allow the second CM to update its FTL map. Full Article
em COMPUTING SYSTEM WITH A CACHE INVALIDATION UNIT, A CACHE INVALIDATION UNIT AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A CACHE INVALIDATION UNIT IN A COMPUTING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present application relates to a cache invalidation unit for a computing system having a processor unit, CPU, with a cache memory, a main memory and at least one an alternate bus master unit. The CPU, the main memory and the at least one an alternate bus master unit are coupled via an interconnect for data communications between them. The cache invalidation unit generates one or more invalidation requests to the cache memory in response to the alternate bus master unit writing data to the main memory. The cache invalidation unit comprises a page address generator unit to generate page addresses relating to at least one address range and an invalidation request generator unit to generate an invalidation request for each page address. The one or more generated invalidation requests are transmitted by the cache invalidation unit via to the cache memory of the CPU. Full Article
em METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING ACCESS OF A STORAGE SYSTEM USING A SHARED STORAGE MODULE AS A TRANSPORT MECHANISM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a first control module (CM) of a storage system receives a first request from a client device to read first data stored in a second storage location of a storage module, where the second storage location is associated with a second CM. The first CM includes a first processor and the second CM includes a second processor. The first CM transmits a first control signal the second CM via the inter-processor link to request the second CM to copy the first data from the second storage location to a first memory location associated with the first CM. The first CM initiates a first data transaction to transmit the first data from the first memory location to the client device through a communication fabric without having to go through the second CM. Full Article
em SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUITS AND A BUS CONNECTING THE CIRCUITS TO ONE ANOTHER, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor device includes a plurality of circuits, a general bus configured to be connected to each of the plurality of circuits and to provide a general channel among the plurality of circuits, and a designated bus configured to be connected to a subgroup of circuits from among the plurality of circuits and to provide a designated channel among the subgroup of circuits. Full Article
em Remote Resource Access Method and Switching Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A remote resource access method and a switching device are provided. According to the remote resource access method, when a computer system access the remote physical resource device, after obtaining a first access message, including a virtual address of a virtual resource device, from a computing node in the computer system, the switching device converts the first access message into a second access message based on a physical address of a physical resource device corresponding to the virtual address of the virtual resource device. Then, the switching device sends the second access message to the remote physical resource device corresponding to the physical address using a network, thereby implementing the data transmission between the local computer system and the remote physical resource device. Full Article
em TRANSMISSION SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES MASTER DEVICE AND A PLURALITY OF SLAVE DEVICES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A transmission system includes: a master device; and a plurality of slave devices including a first slave device and a second slave device, each of the plurality of slave devices having its own identifier. The master device includes a processor configured to: transmit a control signal of a clock length that the first slave device does not respond to, to the plurality of slave devices at a first timing; and transmit an identifier that identifies the second slave device to the plurality of slave devices at a second timing after the first timing. The second slave device transmits data to the master device when the second slave device receives the control signal and the identifier that identifies the second slave device. Full Article
em SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING TIME OUT IN INPUT/OUTPUT SYSTEMS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described is a computer-implemented method for preventing time out during data transfer to an input/output device. Dummy data is generated and transferred to the input/output device at a time during data transfer, such as when a time out event may occur that would end the data transfer. The transfer of dummy data prevents a time out event from occurring. Full Article
em METHOD FOR USING SHARED DEVICE AND RESOURCE SHARING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for using a shared device and a resource sharing system are provided. An arbitrator node sets an initial weight of each of processors based on identification information. The arbitrator node calculates a priority score for each processor based on an initial weight of each of the processors and state diagnostic codes recorded by each processor to establish a priority sequence. When the arbitrator node simultaneously receives a request for requesting an access right of the shared device transmitted by each of two or more processors, the arbitrator node determines one of the processors having the access right of the shared device based on the priority sequence. Full Article
em METHOD FOR ASSIGNING ADDRESSES TO NODES OF A BUS SYSTEM, AND INSTALLATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for assigning addresses to nodes of a bus system, and installation, bus nodes being furnished with an identical delivery address, where (i) an assigning entity, particularly a central computer, start-up computer or bus node sends information to the delivery address via the bus system, (ii) the information includes a first address, (iii) an action is performed whose effect is detected by a first bus node, (iv) the first bus node accepts the first address, (v) the first bus node sends a response to the assigning entity, and (vi) steps (i) through (v) are repeated, each time with a further address for a further bus node. Full Article