Patents by Inventor C. William Frank

C. William Frank 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).

  • Patent number: 5230055
    Abstract: A battery operated portable personal computer includes ambient temperature (46) and humidity (48) sensors, as well as two LCD's (52) to provide visual indication that the ambient temperature or humidity is out of range. If the ambient temperature drops below 3 degrees C., or if it rises above 52 degrees C., the computer enters a low power suspend mode wherein the computer is inoperable, but, upon switching from the suspend mode to the resume (operating) mode, the application program that was running at the time of the suspension is resumed at the same point that the suspension occurred. The LCD temperature indicator is activated when the ambient temperature drops below 3 degrees C., or rises above 46 degrees C. Thus, for high temperatures, the temperature indicator is activated 6 degrees before the computer is placed in the suspend mode. The ambient temperature is periodically monitored while in the suspend mode and, if the temperature rises above 6 degrees C., or drops below 44 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Neil A. Katz, Richard F. Pollitt, Leopoldo L. Suarez, C. William Frank
  • Patent number: 5230074
    Abstract: A computer has two processors. A main processor operates under the control of an operating system and provides overall control of the computer for executing application programs. The main processor also assists in power management by executing certain interrupts and controlling a power control register to turn power on and off to various devices. A power management processor monitors ambient temperature and humidity, and battery conditions, and generates interrupts as a result of predetermined changes. Such processor also controls charging of the battery. Logic means are responsive to predetermined conditions to also generate interrupts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francis J. Canova, Jr., Neil A. Katz, Richard F. Pollitt, Leopoldo L. Suarez, Shaun Astarabadi, C. William Frank