Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Margaret M. Kelton
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Patent number: 6999265Abstract: A method and system control the flight height of a transducer element of a slider mechanism operating in association with a storage disk. The invention adjusts the flight height of transducer element to a first flight height using an electromechanical control mechanism. The flight height of transducer element then achieves a second flight height using a thermal control mechanism. The thermal control mechanism is associated with a thermally responsive portion of transducer element. By heating the thermally responsive portion, a portion of transducer element becomes sufficiently proximate to the storage disk for the transducer element to respond to physical forces arising from electrostatic induction between transducer element and the storage disk. Flight height adjustment of transducer element from the second flight height to a third flight height may then occur using an electrostatic control mechanism which generates a physical force through electrostatic induction.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventors: Erhard Schreck, Thao Nguyen, Brian Strom, Lydia Baril
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Patent number: 6420913Abstract: A driver capable of launching signals into a transmission line and of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line includes within the driver a circuit for controlling the output impedance and a circuit for controlling the output slew rate. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes. The pull up circuit includes pull up output circuit and an impedance control buffer circuit, a parallel pull up circuit, the parallel pull up circuit and the pull up output circuit being controllable to adjust the impedance of the pull up circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6366139Abstract: A method may be provided which controls the output impedance of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance circuit and a slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a method also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6339351Abstract: A driver may be provided which controls output impedance of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6316957Abstract: A method of controlling impedance of a driver capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and capable of terminating signals at the receiver end of the transmission line controls the impedance of the driver across process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations by selectively enabling and disabling at least one of a plurality of output elements according to an impedance control code. The impedance control code compensates for variations in output impedance due to PVT variations.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6317828Abstract: A method and computer system for a system setup program includes a routine for displaying a subset of bootable devices from an adapter card, such as a PERC card, on a system from which a user may specify a bootable device to serve as a boot drive, and bootable devices to serve as alternative boot drives. The computer system includes a system Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), a system processor, a system memory coupled to the system processor, at least one expansion slot coupled to the system processor via a bus, at least one adapter coupled to the computer system via the at least one expansion slot, and a system BIOS ROM code. The BIOS ROM code detects a plurality of bootable devices on the computer system, selects from the plurality of bootable devices a preselected number of bootable devices for display, and displays the subset of bootable devices on a setup display. The setup display allows a user to specify a bootable device to serve as a boot drive of the computer system.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.Inventor: Susan Nunn
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Patent number: 6297677Abstract: A dynamic termination logic driver, one that is capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and is capable of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line, controls output impedance and includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes and the driver also includes a pull down circuit coupled to receive at least one of the plurality of control codes.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6294924Abstract: A dynamic termination logic driver, the driver capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line, controls slew rate over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit having an impedance, the pull up circuit including a pull up output circuit and a buffer circuit, the pull up output circuit including a parallel pull up circuit, a pull up output control circuit, and a pull up slew rate control circuit, wherein the parallel pull up circuit and the pull up output control circuit are coupled in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6281729Abstract: A driver may be provided which controls the output slew rate a driver which includes within the driver a slew rate control circuit. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6278306Abstract: A method for a driver may be provided which controls the output slew rate of a driver which includes within the driver an impedance control and a slew rate circuit. Accordingly, a desired output slew rate and a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a method also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Ang, Alexander D. Taylor, Jonathan E. Starr, Sai V. Vishwanthaiah
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Patent number: 6246576Abstract: A lock and release mechanism is disclosed which includes an elongated bendable member which engages a lock tab such that when the lock tab is disengaged with the chassis an electronics module can be moved into a plurality of positions, including a service position, a closed position and a removal position. Such a mechanism advantageously provides latch and release functionality using a single part.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.Inventors: Steven L. Sands, Andrew L. McAnally, Eric B. Holloway
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Patent number: 6208520Abstract: An apparatus, computer system and method allow either redundant power supplies or a non-redundant power supply to be mounted in a computer chassis, efficiently fitting into the same space. The apparatus and computer system include a chassis with a power supply bay for holding one of a power supply of a first type and a plurality of power supplies of a second type wherein the power supply bay is capable of receiving either one of the power supply of the first type and the plurality of power supplies of the second type, the power supply of the first type fitting into the same space as the plurality of power supplies of the second type.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.Inventor: Ty R. Schmitt
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Patent number: 6184746Abstract: A power supply filter capable of functioning with low power supply voltages includes a resistor-capacitor circuit coupled to a power supply line and a transistor for providing power to a target circuit, such as a phase-locked loop circuit, coupled between the resistor-capacitor circuit and the power supply line. The resistor-capacitor circuit is coupled to a charge pump controller to keep the transistor in a saturation state. The charge pump controller receives at least one clock signal that is coupled to at least one capacitive circuit. The at least one capacitive circuit includes at least two capacitors in series with a biased middle node located between the at least two capacitors in order to provide immunity to time dependent dielectric breakdown, the middle node coupled to approximately half the power supply line.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventor: Matthew P. Crowley
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Patent number: 6175504Abstract: A signal communication structure for communicating signals between a base and a display of an electronic device, the base and display being connected in an axially hinged connection includes an axial member formed from a flexible material and includes a communication line for signal communication with the axial member adapted to flex about the axially hinged connection between the base and the display. The axial member also includes a plurality of appendage members connected to and extending from the axial member. The appendage members include a communication line coupled to the communication line of the axial member for signal communication between the plurality of appendage members via the axial member.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.Inventors: Charles D. Hood, III, Jason Q. Paulsel