Patents Assigned to Compaq Computers, Corporation
  • Patent number: 6223284
    Abstract: A remote flash ROM and security package is formed and delivered to a system ROM of a target computer system for remote flashing of the ROM and remote configuration of security settings for the computer system. The remote flash ROM and security package includes flash ROM and security control code for calling a remote flash and security driver to execute a remote flash or to remotely configure a security setting, a file containing a “signed” ROM image to be flashed to the ROM, a security settings file which preferably is encrypted, and a remote flash and security control container for containing the flash ROM and security code, the ROM image, and the security settings file. The remote flash and security driver may be included in the remote flash ROM and security package or may be resident to the target computer system. In the preferred embodiment, the computer system includes a secure memory device containing an administrator password for locking and unlocking the ROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel Novoa, Paul H. McCann, Wayne P. Sharum, Adrian Crisan, Paul B. Hokanson
  • Patent number: 6223301
    Abstract: A computer system includes memory modules, a central processing unit and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to access the memory modules in response to interaction with the central processing unit and define a fault tolerant memory array with the memory modules. Each memory module stores first data represented by second data stored by the other memory modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Santeler, Kenneth A. Jansen, Sompong P. Olarig
  • Patent number: 6222846
    Abstract: A computer system is provided that has an input-output processor having a non-masking interrupt. In addition to the central processing unit, the computer system has a host bus, a host operating system, at least one input-output bus connected to the host bus. At least one input-output device is connected to the input-output bus with facilities for connecting many more. In addition to the above-mentioned components, the computer system also includes a mask register. The mask register is capable of receiving input-output related messages from the host or from a local input-output device. The mask register is able to write a MASK signal based upon the received signals. Along with the mask register, the computer system is provided with a status register. The status register is capable of receiving input-output write messages from the host or from a local input-output device. The status register is used to write an INT signal based upon the message it receives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Bonola, Brian T. Purcell, Mark L. Hammons
  • Patent number: 6223283
    Abstract: A monitor includes a file that identifies one or more compatible monitors and/or a list of features of the monitor. A processing unit, such as a computer, that does not specifically support the particular monitor may nonetheless configure itself to operate effectively with the monitor. If the processing unit supports a compatible monitor, it configures itself to operate with the compatible monitor. Otherwise, the processing unit may configure itself to support the features of the particular monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Craig L. Chaiken, William Nott
  • Patent number: 6222840
    Abstract: A system for performing concurrent read and write cycles in a network switch. The network switch includes several network ports, a data bus and a switch manager to execute a concurrent read and write cycle on the data bus by asserting a first port number to identify a source port followed by a second port number to identify a destination port. Each of the ports includes a network interface for sending and receiving data packets and a data interface to store the first port number, to assert data received from the network interface onto the data bus if that port is identified by the first port number, and to retrieve data from the data bus for transmission by the network interface if that port is identified by the second port number. In this manner, data is transferred directly between a source and a destination port without being buffered in the switch manager. The bandwidth of the data bus is increased since data is transferred only once on the data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Walker, Gary B. Kotzur, Patricia E. Hareski, Michael L. Witkowski, Dale J. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6222945
    Abstract: A method for selecting a filter from among a plurality of ordered filters within an inverse dithering system is disclosed. In response to receipt of a number of filter parameters associated with the plurality of ordered filters and a selected portion of a dithered image, a determination is made of the region of support for the plurality of filters from the filter parameters. From these regions of support, a lowest ordered filter having a region of support that excludes an image edge in the selected portion of the dithered image is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Shiufun Cheung, Robert A. Ulichney, Robert MacNamara, Giridharan Iyengar
  • Patent number: 6220713
    Abstract: Projection lenses and projection lens systems are telecentric between an illumination subsystem and a set of imagers. The lenses and systems can exhibit color fringing correction, uniform imager illumination, athermalization, and component articulation for improved imaging. The lenses and systems may be employed in display apparatuses, such as folded display apparatuses that have decreased footprint size, but long effective projection lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Biljana Tadic-Galeb, Robert E. Fischer, David Kappel, Neil L. Condra, Ann M. Muscato, Sean M. Donnelly
  • Patent number: 6219770
    Abstract: A method and apparatus operating within an object-oriented virtual memory management system. In the virtual memory management system, each page is referenced by traversing a series of mapping tables. Each mapping table is associated with one of a plurality of Partitioned Memory Objects (PMOs). Each PMO includes a plurality of MORs (Memory Object References). PMOs and NSKMPage data structures are collectively referred to as memory objects. When a memory object is duplicated (also called a “copy on write” or a “virtual copy”), the actual copy of the duplicated memory object is deferred until a write to the memory object actually occurs. MORs have a VCState field, which can have values of VCOriginal, VCDuplicate, VCSubdupFull, or VCSubdupPart. During a copy on write operation, a VCState of a MOR referring to the duplicated memory object is set to “VCDuplicate” and set to point to the memory object that was copied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Robert Landau
  • Patent number: 6219235
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving cables includes a chassis assembly including a base with a defined opening, and a bulkhead coupled to the base and located adjacent to the defined opening. The bulkhead includes a plurality of apertures capable of receiving an increased number of ports. A method of forming an electronic assembly, includes forming a chassis assembly from a metal sheet. The chassis assembly includes a base with a defined opening. The method further includes forming bulkhead on the base and adjacent to the defined opening. The bulkhead includes a plurality of apertures for receiving ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Randall J. Diaz, Perry L. Hayden
  • Patent number: 6219742
    Abstract: A hardware implementation of the General Purpose Event status register supports the ability to assert, under software control, individual General Purpose Event status bits in a General Purpose Event register in an ACPI environment. Software control over the General Purpose Event register allows compensation of a platform electronic apparatus for design defects discovered late in the development cycle. Software control also enables the creation at any time of new “hardware events” which are then processed by the ACPI driver by means of manufacturer provided P-code. The ability to provide a software work-around for a wide range of ACPI related difficulties is advantageously created. Moreover, additional ACPI value-added features can thereafter be developed to differentiate and enhance ACPI compatible products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Paul C. Stanley
  • Patent number: 6219041
    Abstract: A computer convergence device, operable in a at least two modes, such as a computer mode and a video mode and when in the video mode the computer convergence device is operable in at least two states. The computer convergence device includes a universal graphic user interface for providing information corresponding to the operating states. The universal graphic user interface receives inputs from a user which can be used to control various characteristics of each operating state, and can be used to change the operating state of the computer convergence device. The computer convergence device further includes a controller for interfacing between the universal graphic user interface and the processes of the operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Derrill L. Sturgeon, Mark P. Vaughan, Christopher A. Howard
  • Patent number: 6219698
    Abstract: To maintain communications between first and second processing systems interconnected by a communications network, computer programing having first and second sets of instructions are stored at the first processing system. The computer programing is initialized at the first processing system to perform a task associated with the first set of instructions. In accordance with the second set of instructions, a first signal is automatically transmitted from the first processing system to the second processing system responsive to the initialization of the computer programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Iannucci, Christopher M. Weikart
  • Patent number: 6216216
    Abstract: In a multiprocessor computer system, a method and apparatus for partitioning the processors therein. The host processors are partitioned, leaving at least one host processor for providing operating system functions, and allocating one or more target processors to perform other functions such as those of a typical IOP. The processors are first allocated and then totally controlled by placing the allocated processors under the control of an application-specific software rather than leaving them under the direct control of the operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Bonola
  • Patent number: 6215504
    Abstract: A routable operand and selectable operation processor multimedia extension unit is employed to draw lines in a video system using an efficient, parallel technique. A first series of integral y pixel values and error values are calculated according to Bresenham's line drawing algorithm. Then, subsequent pixels and error values are calculated in parallel based on the previously calculated values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. Longhenry, Gary W. Thome, John S. Thayer
  • Patent number: 6216190
    Abstract: A computer is provided having a bus interface unit coupled between a CPU bus, a peripheral bus, and a memory bus. The bus interface unit includes a processor controller linked to the CPU bus for controlling the transfer of cycles from the CPU to the peripheral bus and memory bus. Those cycles can be arranged in order within the CPU bus pipeline. A subset of cycles destined for a peripheral bus can be stalled within a snoop phase associated with the CPU bus. Snoop stall can continue until a memory cycle is encountered upon the CPU bus pipeline within a phase prior to the snoop phase. Once the memory cycle progresses to the snoop phase, snoop stall can be discontinued and the previous, peripheral cycles can then be deferred and/or retried, allowing the memory cycle to be quickly dispatched through all phases of the CPU bus and onto the memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Chin, Clarence K. Coffee, Michael J. Collins, Jerome J. Johnson, Phillip M. Jones, Robert A. Lester, Gary J. Piccirillo
  • Patent number: 6216183
    Abstract: A computer system, bus interface unit and method are provided for securing passwords entered upon a USB input device, such as a USB keyboard. The bus interface unit includes a USB host controller coupled between a USB bus on which the keyboard is configured and another bus on which the system memory is operably connected. The host controller contains registers which keep track of target endpoint addresses of USB devices and, more specifically, address locations (i.e., an input/output address range of to-be-secured data) within those devices. Entry upon a keyboard which falls within the monitored, target endpoint address noted within the host controller will signal the host controller to initiate system management interrupt (SMI), and to execute SMI handler code attributed to SMI. Data from the secured (monitored) target address space is placed within a data buffer of the host controller and eventually to a secured location within system memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Paul B. Rawlins
  • Patent number: 6216192
    Abstract: A system and method to permit access requests from a mezzanine bus through different bridges to perform in similar ways in disclosed. The access requests are serviced even if the bridges are configured differently, therefore allowing hardware and software management by allowing software to treat peripheral devices attached to different types of bridges as similar devices. Features of the peripheral devices, therefore, can be more effectively and more fully accessed by evading limitations of the addressing mode for one or more of the bridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Frame, Premanand Sakarda, Mark Sawyer, Richard Hennessy
  • Patent number: 6211881
    Abstract: Improved image format conversion techniques that provide improved conversion from an image format supporting transparency to an image format not supporting transparency. The techniques replace a transparency color in an original image format prior to format conversion. Consequently, the format conversion uses the replacement transparency color instead of the original transparency color, and thus is able to provide improved image conversion when converting from an image format supporting transparency to an image format not supporting transparency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Gabler, Darrell J. Starnes
  • Patent number: 6212557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for upgrading the naming service of a distributed network data processing system uses controlled upgrades of replicated directories in clearinghouses on a node-by-node basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: David Oran
  • Patent number: 6212567
    Abstract: A mechanism for mitigating the rate at which status reports associated with raw cell data transfers occur during receive operations in a network node is presented. The network node has an adapter for coupling a network and a host system, the host system including a host memory. The adapter operates to reassemble cell data received from the network and store the reassembled cell data in the host memory. A raw report holdoff counter is programmed to count a number corresponding to a preselected rx raw report holdoff value. If a raw cell data transfer request to be processed is detected, rx raw report information necessary to creating an rx raw cell status report is copied to a temporary storage area. When the data is transferred to the host system, the raw report holdoff counter is modified by one. When the modified counter has expired, the rx raw report information is written to a report queue in host memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Thomas, Douglas M. Washabaugh, Peter J. Roman, Wing Cheung