Patents by Inventor Christopher Steffen

Christopher Steffen 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: 12542547
    Abstract: A circuit for reducing a time to switch between the redundant clock signals applied to a phase lock loop. The circuit includes a phase frequency detector of the phase lock loop that detects a shift in the phase of a reference clock signal relative to the phase of a feedback clock signal. The circuit further includes a coarse tuning mechanism configured to delay the feedback clock signal until the feedback clock signal is aligned with a backup reference clock signal. Furthermore, the circuit includes a fine tuning mechanism configured to align the edge of the feedback clock signal with the edge of the backup reference clock signal, such as by utilizing a series of delay elements to delay the backup reference clock signal at different points in time and selecting the appropriate delayed backup reference clock signal whose edge is aligned with the edge of the feedback clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Borkenhagen, Christopher Steffen
  • Patent number: 12438547
    Abstract: A pulse limiter circuit of a phase-locked loop (PLL) receives, from a phase frequency detector of the PLL, first second input pulses, where pulse widths of the first and second input pulses indicate whether a reference clock signal leads or lags a feedback clock signal. The pulse limiter circuit determines whether a pulse width of the first or second input pulse is greater than a selected duration indicative of transient phase jitter. Based on determining the pulse width of the first or second input pulse is greater than the selected duration, the pulse limiter circuit sets a pulse width of a first output pulse equal to a pulse width of a second output pulse width and outputs the first and second output pulses to a charge pump of the PLL, such that no phase adjustment to the feedback clock signal is made based on the first and second input pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Borkenhagen, Christopher Steffen, Grant P. Kesselring, James Strom
  • Publication number: 20250274111
    Abstract: A circuit for reducing a time to switch between the redundant clock signals applied to a phase lock loop. The circuit includes a phase frequency detector of the phase lock loop that detects a shift in the phase of a reference clock signal relative to the phase of a feedback clock signal. The circuit further includes a coarse tuning mechanism configured to delay the feedback clock signal until the feedback clock signal is aligned with a backup reference clock signal. Furthermore, the circuit includes a fine tuning mechanism configured to align the edge of the feedback clock signal with the edge of the backup reference clock signal, such as by utilizing a series of delay elements to delay the backup reference clock signal at different points in time and selecting the appropriate delayed backup reference clock signal whose edge is aligned with the edge of the feedback clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: John Borkenhagen, Christopher Steffen
  • Patent number: 12289300
    Abstract: A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A third device is selected to pair with the first device. A second encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20250132763
    Abstract: A pulse limiter circuit of a phase-locked loop (PLL) receives, from a phase frequency detector of the PLL, first second input pulses, where pulse widths of the first and second input pulses indicate whether a reference clock signal leads or lags a feedback clock signal. The pulse limiter circuit determines whether a pulse width of the first or second input pulse is greater than a selected duration indicative of transient phase jitter. Based on determining the pulse width of the first or second input pulse is greater than the selected duration, the pulse limiter circuit sets a pulse width of a first output pulse equal to a pulse width of a second output pulse width and outputs the first and second output pulses to a charge pump of the PLL, such that no phase adjustment to the feedback clock signal is made based on the first and second input pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: John Borkenhagen, Christopher Steffen, Grant P. Kesselring, James Strom
  • Patent number: 12231536
    Abstract: A system and method of securely controlling a device from another device. The user of the device attempts to modify the device in some way. In response to the attempted modification a request is generated and sent to a controlling device. The request includes information related to the desired modification. The controlling device analyzes the request and a determination on how to respond to the request is made. This response is encrypted at the controlling device and transmitted to the device. The device then decrypts the response and implements the indicated response to the request. The encryption and decryption keys are burned into the corresponding devices such that information needed to decrypt the response is not transmitted to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Patent number: 12143471
    Abstract: A system and method to tie a removable component to a host device. A first pairing key is stored into a security module on a host device such as a server rack. A removable component is inserted into the server rack for the first time. In response to this first insertion the first pairing key is burned into the removable component using a plurality of physically modifiable internal components. The server rack/security module receives a request form the removable component to operate on the server rack, the request includes a burned in pairing key. The security module compares the received pairing key with the first pairing key and permits operation of the removable component in response to a match between the received pairing key and the first pairing key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Publication number: 20240163266
    Abstract: A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A third device is selected to pair with the first device. A second encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11902263
    Abstract: A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A corresponding decryption key is written to the second device and then is burned into the decryption module of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11880469
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a secure image load. The system includes a microcontroller. The microcontroller has a plurality of physically modifiable internal components (PMIC). Each of the plurality of PMICs can only be modified one time. The system further includes an image loader configured to load a boot image from the memory of the microcontroller, and a checksum calculator configured to calculate a checksum value for the boot image. The system further includes a checksum burner configured to modify the plurality of PMICs to create a binary representation of the checksum value for the image. A checksum value is calculated for the image. This checksum value is written to the microcontroller. The value is burned into the microcontroller using the PMICs. Further, responses to the checksum mismatch are burned into the microcontroller using the PMICs that are present in the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20230318806
    Abstract: A system and method of securely controlling a device from another device. The user of the device attempts to modify the device in some way. In response to the attempted modification a request is generated and sent to a controlling device. The request includes information related to the desired modification. The controlling device analyzes the request and a determination on how to respond to the request is made. This response is encrypted at the controlling device and transmitted to the device. The device then decrypts the response and implements the indicated response to the request. The encryption and decryption keys are burned into the corresponding devices such that information needed to decrypt the response is not transmitted to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Publication number: 20230308261
    Abstract: A system and method to tie a removable component to a host device. A first pairing key is stored into a security module on a host device such as a server rack. A removable component is inserted into the server rack for the first time. In response to this first insertion the first pairing key is burned into the removable component using a plurality of physically modifiable internal components. The server rack/security module receives a request form the removable component to operate on the server rack, the request includes a burned in pairing key. The security module compares the received pairing key with the first pairing key and permits operation of the removable component in response to a match between the received pairing key and the first pairing key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Patent number: 11729472
    Abstract: A system and method for providing content to a user outside of a home region. A portable device displays content to a user through a network connection. A home content provider provides content to the portable device from the home region. Some of the content provided is region restricted content. A location verifier determines that the portable device and the user are both physically located within the home region. The location verifier issues to the user a location token when the user and the portable device are in the home region. A token verifier verifies the location token when the user requests the region restricted content outside of the home region. The token verifier further instructs the home content provider to provide region restricted content to the user when the user has the location token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Campbell, Chad Albertson, Christopher Steffen, Nicholas Ollerich
  • Patent number: 11693446
    Abstract: On-chip spread spectrum synchronization between spread spectrum sources is provided. A spread spectrum amplitude of a signal of a spread spectrum reference clock is obtained using one or more delay lines of one or more delay elements in a skitter circuit. A spread width of the spread spectrum amplitude of the signal is determined, using one or more sticky latches in the skitter circuit, based on one or more edges of the signal. A delay line of the one or more delay elements corresponding to a falling edge of the spread width of the signal is identified using combinational circuitry of the skitter circuit. A spread spectrum signal of a spread spectrum slave clock is synchronized with the signal of the spread spectrum reference clock based on the delay line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Borkenhagen, Christopher Steffen, Grant P. Kesselring
  • Patent number: 11662381
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a phase rotator, that is located at a built-in self-test (BIST) path of a receiver, receiving a clock signal from an on-chip clock. The phase rotator shifts the phases of the clock signal. The phase rotator transmits the shifted clock signal to a binary sequence generator, that is located at the receiver. The binary sequence generator outputs a binary sequence, where the binary sequence generator is driven by the shifted clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Ross Blanchard, Venkat Harish Nammi, Dereje Yilma, Chad Andrew Marquart, Glen A. Wiedemeier, Jeffrey Kwabena Okyere, Erik English, Christopher Steffen, Vikram B Raj, Michael Wayne Harper
  • Publication number: 20230155986
    Abstract: A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A corresponding decryption key is written to the second device and then is burned into the decryption module of the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20230121692
    Abstract: On-chip spread spectrum synchronization between spread spectrum sources is provided. A spread spectrum amplitude of a signal of a spread spectrum reference clock is obtained using one or more delay lines of one or more delay elements in a skitter circuit. A spread width of the spread spectrum amplitude of the signal is determined, using one or more sticky latches in the skitter circuit, based on one or more edges of the signal. A delay line of the one or more delay elements corresponding to a falling edge of the spread width of the signal is identified using combinational circuitry of the skitter circuit. A spread spectrum signal of a spread spectrum slave clock is synchronized with the signal of the spread spectrum reference clock based on the delay line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: JOHN BORKENHAGEN, CHRISTOPHER STEFFEN, GRANT P. KESSELRING
  • Patent number: 11617519
    Abstract: A device includes a syringe, which has a tip, plunger, and barrel containing a fluid. The device also includes a needle electrode coupled to the tip of the syringe, a release component, and a control component configured to receive electrical measurements made by the needle electrode, determine impedance values from the electrical measurements, and identify a target tissue based on the impedance values. In response to the identification, the control component generates instructions to reposition a release component. A method includes receiving electrical measurements from a needle electrode, determining impedance values based on the electrical measurements. A target tissue is identified based on the impedance values, and a release component is repositioned in response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah K. Czaplewski-Campbell, Eric J. Campbell, Jennifer I. Bennett, Elin F. LaBreck, Christopher Steffen
  • Publication number: 20230055935
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention include a phase rotator, that is located at a built-in self-test (BIST) path of a receiver, receiving a clock signal from an on-chip clock. The phase rotator shifts the phases of the clock signal. The phase rotator transmits the shifted clock signal to a binary sequence generator, that is located at the receiver. The binary sequence generator outputs a binary sequence, where the binary sequence generator is driven by the shifted clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Nathan Ross Blanchard, VENKAT HARISH NAMMI, DEREJE YILMA, Chad Andrew Marquart, Glen A. Wiedemeier, JEFFREY KWABENA OKYERE, Erik English, Christopher Steffen, Vikram B. Raj, Michael Wayne Harper
  • Patent number: 11570156
    Abstract: A system and method for pairing two devices for secure communications. A user selects a first device to pair with a second device. The first and second devices have the ability to securely communicate with each other through the use of encrypted communications. An encryption key is written to the first device and then burned into the encryption module on the first device. A corresponding decryption key is written to the second device and then is burned into the decryption module of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Steffen, Chad Albertson, Nicholas Ollerich, Eric J. Campbell