Patents by Inventor Willard Erickson

Willard Erickson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100323536
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: WOLPASS CAPITAL INV., L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, JR., Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Patent number: 7803020
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Publication number: 20080005442
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Stanford Crane, Maria Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Publication number: 20060282593
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Stanford Crane, Maria Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Publication number: 20020166040
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Patent number: 6073229
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: The Panda Project
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Patent number: 5822551
    Abstract: A computer system includes a first passive backplane having a local bus, a memory bus, and peripheral bus. The computer system includes a first printed circuit board having a microprocessor, and connected to the local bus and to the memory bus. The computer system includes a second printed circuit board having a memory and connected to the memory bus. The computer system also includes a third printed circuit board having a peripheral controller, and connected to the local bus and to the peripheral bus The disclosed computer system further includes a second backplane. The second backplane is connected to the first passive backplane through a connector, where at least one of the local and peripheral buses extends from the first passive backplane to the second backplane through the connector. The computer system also includes a plurality of peripheral slots located on the second backplane and connected to the peripheral bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: The Panda Project
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri
  • Patent number: 5812797
    Abstract: A computer system architecture in which functionally compatible electronic components are located on modular printed circuit boards. Thus, a type of processor used by the system can be changed by replacing the printed circuit board incorporating the processor. Similarly a type of peripheral bus used can be changed simply by replacing the printed circuit board containing the peripheral controller. High-density connectors connect the circuit boards. Some embodiments of the invention use a single backplane. Other embodiments place peripheral slots on a second, passive backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: The Panda Project
    Inventors: Stanford W. Crane, Jr., Maria M. Portuondo, Willard Erickson, Maurice Bizzarri