Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Matthew S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6477732
    Abstract: An ultra-thin folding bristle hairbrush, capable of being operated with one hand, suitable for back-pocket storage. A base enclosure comprising a plurality of spaced transverse bristle bars, each bristle bar pivotally mounted within the base enclosure. At one end, the base enclosure is pivotally attached to a handle member. A kinematical linkage assembly adjoins the handle with the plurality of bristle bars whereby the opening and closing motion of the handle results in a synchronized articulation of the bristles from a stowed, generally horizontal, position, to a generally vertical position of use. The linkage lends itself to contouring the base enclosure and handle for ergonomic consideration such as back-pocket storage. The handle can also operate as a cover element. A unique one-handed “switchblade” action can be employed to flip open the brush, installing the bristles into their position of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin W. Cline, John A. McCurdy
  • Patent number: 6468126
    Abstract: The invention is a pop-up device adapted to allow for a number of triggering means and a number of special effects upon triggering of the device. The pop-up device may be placed in a hollow section of a cake, which is later iced over so that the candle holder is not visible. In the preferred embodiment, the base of the device supports the pop-up mechanism within a housing. The device is held in a compressed state by a release mechanism. Upon triggering of the release mechanism, the device is released and pushed through the cake or other confection, thereby providing surprise and entertainment. In alternative embodiments, the device is actuated by a drive mechanism or a fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Herber
  • Patent number: 6381576
    Abstract: A diagnostic and treatment information data structure encapsulates, with or without identifying a specific patient, information regarding a particular diagnosis-treatment cycle for an individual patient. The diagnostic and treatment information data structures for a number of diagnosis-treatment cycle may be combined within a database for analysis in outcomes or cost effectiveness studies. A relational database which assists the health care provider in formulating the diagnostic and treatment information data structure for a specific diagnosis-treatment cycle can, within a user interface, display information determined during the outcomes or cost effectiveness studies to influence the health care provider at the point of decision. Effective analyses of diagnostic, treatment, and outcomes information and guidance for health care professionals based on such analyses is thus facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Edward Howard Gilbert
  • Patent number: 6065081
    Abstract: A system and method for disabling add-in card slots (e.g. PCI or ISA) in a computer system. The slots may be enabled or disabled, according to the preferred embodiment, only after the user has entered a System Administrator password. This password is stored in a non-volatile memory within the computer system, so it is less vulnerable to attack through removal of the power line or battery from the system. The preferred system provides that devices attached to disabled slots are invisible to the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Compact Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Charles J. Stancil, James M. Mann, Brant W. Jones
  • Patent number: 6038624
    Abstract: A computer system in which various system peripherals are automatically re-initialized after being hot-swapped. The reinitialization includes accommodation of any required master/slave relationships between the peripherals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
    Inventors: Fu Chan, Kamran Khederzadeh, William C. Hallowell
  • Patent number: 6025853
    Abstract: A graphics processing chip which uses a deep pipeline of multiple asynchronous units to achieve a high net throughput in 3D rendering. Preferably reads and writes to a local buffer are provided by separate stages of the pipeline. Preferably some of the individual units include parallel paths internally. Preferably some of the individual units are connected to look ahead by more than one stage, to keep the pipeline filled while minimizing the use of expensive deep FIFOs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: 3DLabs Inc. Ltd.
    Inventor: David Robert Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5960213
    Abstract: A PCI compliant device having an internal function and a secondary PCI port for a second PCI device having additional functions. The device adapts its internal function and memory and the functions and memory of the second PCI device such that the host system sees only a single multi-function device, which appears to have the combined memories and functions of the adapter and second PCI device. Preferably the adapter itself includes a graphics pre-processor, and is connected to one or more rendering processors on the second PCI port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: 3D Labs Inc. Ltd
    Inventor: Malcolm Eric Wilson
  • Patent number: 5894412
    Abstract: Innovative systems and methods for advantageous use of a new isolated power converter topology, in which transformer isolation is provided by a very simple DC-DC converter operated in open-loop mode (with each switch running at a constant duty cycle of approximately 50%, to achieve an effective duty cycle of approximately 100%), and feedback or modulation is instead applied to a preconverter stage which also does power factor corrections. Since the isolation stage is operated at a constant duty cycle, distortion can be minimized and its efficiency can be fully optimized, with a simple circuit and small component count. Unlike a flyback converter, only a very small inductance is required. A simple control architecture is used with current control loop. The disclosed circuit tightly clamps the voltages on the switch and on the transformer, with no ringing nor overshoot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp
    Inventor: Richard A. Faulk
  • Patent number: 5892351
    Abstract: A universal battery pack which contains an integral transformerless DC--DC switching power converter, with no DC connection between the battery and the power terminals. This provides inherent protection against overcurrent, and permits smaller fuse sizes to be used for a given current rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Faulk
  • Patent number: 5875094
    Abstract: A portable computer docking system wherein the angle of the slot which receives the portable computer can be adjusted for ergonomic optimization, while keeping the docking unit as a whole stationary in its mounted location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Kirkendoll
  • Patent number: 5847543
    Abstract: A portable docking and precharging station with an AC adapter with automatically optimized output voltage and power. An IIC communications link between the computer and AC adapter carries signals which adjust the AC adapter's voltage and power settings, depending on the charge state of the battery and whether the computer is on or off. If the computer is on, full output power is provided from the AC adapter. If the computer is off, the output power from the AC adapter is reduced so that the current cannot exceed the battery manufacturer's recommended charging rates. Preferably the regulated output voltage and the current limit are both changed when the change between modes occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Barry N. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5838983
    Abstract: A system and method to reduce power consumption in a portable computer system while allowing the CDROM drive to continue playing audio CDs. When the system enters a suspend mode, the status of the CDROM drive is checked, and if it is playing an audio CD, it remains powered, otherwise power to the CDROM drive is also suspended. The system recognizes when the audio CD is finished playing and then places the CDROM drive into the suspend mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Lee Atkinson
  • Patent number: 5835096
    Abstract: A 3D rendering accelerator, in which the hardware texturing capability is also used to provide enhanced 2D rendering. Texturing units, when operating in a 2D mode, are available for use for storing icons and characters locally to avoid the expense of doing a lookup from the host system. Texturing units are also used as storage for pattern data for performing a tiled fill of a graphical object and for defining arbitrarily large stipple patterns. Color index dither patterns may also be stored in the texture units to avoid the necessity of doing a texture download from the host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: 3D Labs
    Inventor: David Robert Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5826042
    Abstract: A portable computer docking station in which the computer is inserted vertically into a vertical slot. An additional slot receives modular accessories (such as a CD drive, floppy disk drive, or extra battery) to be inserted. Connectors in the vertical slot provide power to the computer, and provide connection to external display and user input devices, and also provide electrical connection from the computer to whichever module is in the additional slot, and also provides charging if the additional module is a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Kirkendoll
  • Patent number: 5818702
    Abstract: Converter topologies in which two separate switching transistors and two capacitors are used on the input side. Preferably the two transistors are switched alternately, to alternately pull down different nodes in an inductor-capacitor chain. Two capacitors are interposed in series between an input inductor on the input and a transformer primary winding. Preferably the two transistors are connected with their parasitic diodes in opposite senses, so that one can source current from a first node to ground when off, and the other can sink current from a second node to ground when off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Faulk
  • Patent number: 5798770
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment discloses a pipelined graphics processor in which the sequence can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g. between primitives) in a rendering sequence. The pipeline sequence can be configured for compliance with specifications such as OpenGL, but may also be optimized by reconfiguring the pipeline sequence to eliminate unnecessary processing. In a preferred embodiment, pixel elimination sequences such as depth and stencil tests are performed before texturing calculations are performed, so that unneeded pixel data is discarded before said texturing calculations are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: 3DLabs Inc. Ltd.
    Inventor: David Robert Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5789957
    Abstract: A flip-flop of the D type capable of loading data asynchronously and comprising two latches, a master and a slave one, connected in series with each other, is characterized in that each of these comprises an interface and selection circuit for input signals transferable in either the synchronous or the asynchronous manner, and a logic gate circuit which is input such signals and, in an asynchronous manner, control signals effective to establish the latch own states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics, S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giona Fucili, Lorenzo Papillo, Andrea Pasquino, Annamaria Rossi, Alberto Gola
  • Patent number: 5786687
    Abstract: In a computer having switch-mode power converter, a pulse transformer circuit drives the converter's transistor switch in response to pulses from a switch control pulse source. A primary capacitor is connected in series with the switch control pulse source and the transformer's primary winding. At the leading edge of a switch control pulse, the primary capacitor causes a positive voltage spike to appear across the primary winding and hence a positive voltage spike to be induced across the transformer's secondary winding. At the trailing edge of the switch control pulse, the primary capacitor causes a negative voltage spike to appear across the primary winding and hence a negative voltage spike to be induced across the transformer's secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Faulk
  • Patent number: 5774133
    Abstract: A computer system having a pixel processing unit with multiple subprocessors receives positional data defining graphical objects from the CPU and writes pixel data into the image memory, and a display driver produces an image which partially includes the rendered pixels. The pixel processor is used to access patches of multiple contiguous pixels at a time, and process them in parallel. The patches used are defined, within the overall geometry of the image, to have aligned corners. The unit is also connected to receive synchronization signals from the display driver, conditioned on whether the current line being accessed by the driver is within a specified range of lines in the image space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: 3Dlabs Ltd.
    Inventors: John Walter Neave, Neil F. Trevett, Jonathan David Salkild, deceased, David Joseph Salkild, heir, Iain Stuart MacNaughton
  • Patent number: 5768118
    Abstract: A power converter which transfers energy from an output circuit coupled to a secondary winding of a power transformer to an input circuit coupled to a primary winding of the power transformer in order to reduce the power loss and electromagnetic interference (EMI) originating from a primary switch. The reciprocating action of the converter is accomplished by placing the series switched path of a secondary switch in parallel with a diode in the output circuit. A control circuit is coupled to the primary switch and the secondary switch which allows the inherent capacitance of each switch to discharge before turning on the respective switch, thereby reducing the EMI and power losses occurring at these switches. The control circuit includes feedback and feedforward voltage control of the switching duty cycle. The control circuit varies the energy transferred from the output circuit to the input circuit according to changes in the accumulated charge on the primary switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Faulk, J. Howard Ho