Patents Assigned to Gateway, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7657716
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment save a protected area of a storage device by booting to the protected area, copying the contents of the protected area to the user area of the storage device, rebooting to the user area, and then saving the user area to a backup storage device. In another embodiment, a restore mechanism is provided by copying the saved contents of the protected area from the backup storage device to the user area of the storage device, booting into the protected area of the storage device, and copying the saved contents into the protected area. In this way, in various embodiments the contents of the protected area of a storage device can be saved and restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Kroening
  • Patent number: 7657646
    Abstract: A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Allan Colbath
  • Patent number: 7653315
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bi-directional optical monitor interconnect. The bi-directional monitor interconnect of the present invention includes an optical conductor with a first and second end. Disposed on the first end of the optical conductor is a first optical communication device and a first optical receiving device. Disposed on the second end of the optical conductor is a second optical communication device and a second optical receiving device. The first and second optical communication devices are capable of transmitting data over an optical connection. The first optical communication device is suitable for communicating via a first wavelength and the second optical communication device is capable of communicating over a second wavelength. The first receiving device is capable converting the second wavelength into electrical signals and the second receiving device is capable of converting the first wavelength into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Young
  • Patent number: 7646977
    Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided to enable automatically taking a series of depth of field bracket photos by varying the f-stop and shutter speed for a particular scene to keep the exposure constant. The method may be practiced on a digital camera which has been equipped with software in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Flannery
  • Patent number: 7634675
    Abstract: A method of performing power down of a computer monitor when a video signal is no longer present and apparatus which performs the method schedules an automatic power conservation mode after a given period of time unless an inhibiting power sustain command embedded in the video signal is received. The power sustain command is placed in the regular video signal at a regular interval. The frequency of the command may be made shorter than the power-off timeout in order to maintain the power-on state of the monitor. Multiple time lapse thresholds may be set to permit multiple power conservation modes. This method may be implemented without making hardware changes in retrofitting a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Liebenow
  • Patent number: 7634817
    Abstract: An authentication code for a diagnostic code is generated. In one aspect, the authentication code includes a timestamp indicating when the diagnostic generating the diagnostic code was run. In a further aspect, the authentication code includes a serial number for a computer system running the diagnostic. In a still further aspect, the authentication code includes a serial number for a component being diagnosed. The authentication code may be generated on the system being diagnosed, or it may be obtained from a server communicably coupled to the system being diagnosed. Additionally, the diagnostic code may be obtained from a file residing on the computer system begin diagnosed, or on a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7631265
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method for configuring and loading a user interface. The method for configuring the user interface includes receiving user interface data from a remote device describing one or more user interface functions on the remote device. This user interface data is compared with a user interface template. A display of one or more representations is configured based on the user interface data, with each representation corresponding to one of the user interface functions on the remote device. The user is then able to interact with the display of the representations in order to utilize the user interface functions available on the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7627626
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for restricting operations of a grid software application performing on a grid computer of the computing grid. The system includes a method that presents a user of the grid computer with an option governing use of the grid computer by computing grid operations performed on the grid computer, accepting from the user a setting of options governing use of the grid computer, and applying the setting of the options governing use of the grid computer to the computing grid operations performed on the grid computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Kroening
  • Patent number: 7620952
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing universal registration in an information appliance network. The method includes providing user registration information of a user to a universal registration resource, the user registration information accessible by providers of resources via the information appliance network. The method further includes requesting use of a provider resource which requires the user registration information, wherein the provider resource automatically retrieves the user registration information from the universal registration resource to enable the user to access the provider resource. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for providing universal registration, including accessing a resource, passing a registration interface dynamic base object to the resource, and interrogating the registration interface dynamic base object for registration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan Havemose
  • Patent number: 7617512
    Abstract: A method and system for implementing a preferred viewing library of programs are disclosed. Electronic program guide data is searched for a program satisfying a criterion, and a determination is made whether the program satisfies the criterion. The criterion may be based upon the viewing activity profile of the user or may be based upon a criterion entered into the program guide by the user. In the event a program satisfies the criterion, the recording of the program is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time. The time is monitored, and a determination whether the present time is the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the program is recorded and organized in a program library such that a user may select the program from the program library and view the recorded program at an appropriate time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Nickum
  • Patent number: 7610583
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a customized installation procedure to a consumer purchasing a build to order system. A particular consumer may provide personal information at a point of sale along with component selections for a build to order system. A manufacturer may assemble the personal information and selection list to generate a customized installation procedure for each consumer. The customized installation procedure may be placed upon a compact disk and may be inserted upon a first boot of a purchased build to order computer system. The customized installation procedure may provide a visual presentation on the complete installation of the computer system including software installation and connection of hardware components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel C. Milius
  • Patent number: 7600266
    Abstract: A copy protection comprehending cache catalog with a media jukebox tracks not only the titles of the media themselves, but also the number of copies of each media title, and the copy protection status of each media. When a particular media is not limited to a set number of licensed users, then this media alone is permitted to be used to support multiple users with the hard drive cache in the media jukebox. If, however, a particular media title is limited to one licensed use at a time, per copy of that title, then the hard drive cache is capable of sending data to match the number of copies of media in the jukebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090216657
    Abstract: Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system and modify an order for approval by the originating user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Russell F. McKnight
  • Patent number: 7580080
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically launching a picture-in-picture (PIP) display on a television screen in response to detecting a commercial break. PIP launch scheme information is stored in a memory and retrieved upon the detection of a commercial break during a television broadcast. The PIP launch scheme information specifies the size and position of the PIP display, and a television signal source and channel for the PIP and the main television display to be shown during the commercial break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Glen Anderson
  • Patent number: 7567677
    Abstract: A noise reduction scheme is incorporated into a computer system for reducing environmental background noise when a user is listening to audio output through a standard set of headphones. The noise reduction scheme utilizes the processing power of the computer system as well as built-in components of the computer for enhancing the audio quality heard by the user. Environmental background noise is received by a built-in microphone, wherein a reciprocal noise canceling signal is generated by the computer's microprocessor. The reciprocal noise canceling signal is then mixed with audio from the computer system for reducing the environmental background noise heard by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Rix S. Chan, Vijay Zaver
  • Patent number: 7562537
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting the ineffectiveness or failure of a fan that is used to cool an electronic device. The method and apparatus use temperatures measured before and after the fan is energized to determine if the temperature trend is affected by the operation of the fan. If the trend is not substantially affected by the operation of the fan, it is determined that the fan is not operating effectively and the user may be notified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Liebenow
  • Patent number: 7515706
    Abstract: A headset with retractable cord for portable devices with automatic switching capability system, comprising an electronic device, a headset, a cord extending between the electronic device and the headset, and a retracting assembly for retracting the cord into a coil during periods of non-use. Optionally, the system includes a retraction detection assembly for determining a condition of retraction of the cord with respect to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway Inc.
    Inventor: Jeekyoung Park
  • Patent number: 7512217
    Abstract: Systems and methods allow a user at a telephone to communicate with an instant messaging client. The instant messaging client may be identified by a PIN that is entered on the telephone. Input from the telephone, include keypad and voice input may be converted to text that is displayed to the IM client. Text data received from the IM client may be converted to speech that is output to the telephone. A proximity detector may be used to determine the presence of an IM client user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Gateway Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Michel Greenwood
  • Publication number: 20090083069
    Abstract: Medical professionals may obtain payment authorization from their patients, even before the insurance company or other payer has determined the patient's ultimate financial obligation. In particular, the medical professional or their administrative staff may estimate the patient's financial obligations, obtain authorization for payment, and then subsequently collect payment at a later date once the actual financial obligation has been determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: mPay Gateway. Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Tierney, Craig Servin, Timothy Hruska
  • Patent number: 7496097
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and a method for implementing a secured communications link at a layer other than that at which packets are filtered are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer system is configured to form a virtual private network (“VPN”) and comprises an address inspection driver to identify initial target packet traffic addressed to a target server. Also, the computer system includes a pseudo server module to receive rerouted initial target packet traffic from the address inspection driver. The pseudo server module is configured to convey packet regeneration instructions to a VPN gateway. The address inspection driver functions to identify additional target packet traffic addressed to the target server and routes the additional target packet traffic to the pseudo server. In one embodiment, the pseudo server is configured to strip header information from the additional target packet traffic to form a payload, and thereafter, to route the payload to the target server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Citrix Gateways, Inc.
    Inventors: Goutham P. Rao, Robert Rodriguez, Eric Brueggemann