Patents by Inventor Christopher Voltz

Christopher Voltz 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: 7283430
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for overriding an ejection lock pertain to detecting manipulation of an ejection control element signaling an intent to override the ejection lock, and overriding the ejection lock to enable storage medium ejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Christopher Voltz
  • Publication number: 20070099638
    Abstract: A multi-number wireless communication system comprises a wireless communication device configured to initiate a telephone call using each of at least two different telephone numbers assigned thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventor: Christopher Voltz
  • Publication number: 20070024629
    Abstract: A source unit has a video source, a digital audio source, a DDC/CI communications capability and a switch for coupling a pin of a standard video cable either to the digital audio source or to a non-audio conventional connection. A display device has a video consumer, a digital audio consumer, a DDC/CI communications capability and a switch for coupling the pin of the standard video cable either to the digital audio consumer or to a non-audio conventional connection. The switch in the display device is responsive to a DDC/CI command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: John Frederick, Christopher Voltz
  • Publication number: 20070028281
    Abstract: A source unit is configured to receive its main power supply from pin 14 of a DVI-compliant cable connector. A display device is operable to connect its power supply to pin 14 of a DVI-compliant cable connector to accommodate the main power requirements of a source unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: John Frederick, Christopher Voltz
  • Publication number: 20050213441
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for overriding an ejection lock pertain to detecting manipulation of an ejection control element signaling an intent to override the ejection lock, and overriding the ejection lock to enable storage medium ejection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Christopher Voltz
  • Patent number: 6859538
    Abstract: A speaker includes at least one transducer and at least one memory device. The at least one transducer is adapted to receive an audio signal. The at least one memory device is adapted to store data related to the speaker. A method includes reading data from a memory device of at least one speaker. An audio signal is provided from an audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Christopher Voltz
  • Publication number: 20040070687
    Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, Drew S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6670994
    Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, Drew S. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030086016
    Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, Drew S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6504577
    Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, Drew S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6314523
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an apparatus having a plurality of independently operable and powerable devices is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of power rails, a plurality of ground planes, and a power management circuit. One of the power rails is associated with one of the plurality of independently operable devices. One of the plurality of ground planes is selectively associated with one or more of the plurality of power rails. The power management circuit couples to the plurality of power rails and the second plurality of ground planes, for selectively deactivating at least one of the plurality of ground planes independently of any of the other plurality of power rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Voltz
  • Patent number: 6295090
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for providing video processing is disclosed. Within the system and the apparatus there is an analog video signal input means, which is connected to a video signal output means, which are both coupled to a video resolution compensation means. The analog video signal input means provides decoding of a first signal type received by the input means. The first signal type operates at a first refresh rate. The video signal output means receives the decoded first signal type and converts the decoded first signal type into a second signal type, which has a second refresh rate. This second signal type typically is compatible for viewing on a display incompatible with the first signal type. Then, the video resolution compensation means modifies the second refresh rate associated with the decoded second signal type so as to be compatible with the first refresh rate and displayable on the video monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, John C. Barker
  • Patent number: 6201580
    Abstract: A multiplexing apparatus for use in a computer system is disclosed. The multiplexing system is typically designed for multiplexing various sources of video signal inputs for subsequent processing. The multiplexing apparatus includes at least one analog video input connector, but preferably has more than one, a programmable signal connector, and a plurality of video output connectors. The programmable signal connector couples to the analog video input connector and selectively multiplexes the analog video input signal. The plurality of video output connectors are further coupled to the programmable signal connector, and they receive the multiplexed video signal from the analog video input connector for processing through at least a first video stream. Additional video streams are also possible for processing for a single input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, John C. Barker
  • Patent number: 6166772
    Abstract: A home entertainment appliance includes a computer system and a television system. A video monitor or television monitor of the home entertainment system shows a sequence of video frames generated in the appliance based upon at least one received sequence of interlaced video fields each containing a number of scan lines. A video system of the appliance receives a first field, temporarily stores the first field in an input buffer, and then in a loop, while video fields are being received, performs various other steps. The other steps include receiving a next field, compensating the field in the input buffer, deinterlacing the received field with the compensated field in the input buffer, temporarily storing the received field, merging the received field and the compensated field into a video frame of the second sequence, and providing the video frame of the second sequence to a subsequent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Voltz, Drew S. Johnson