Patents by Inventor Dennis R Esterberg

Dennis R Esterberg 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: 6718408
    Abstract: An input/output module for a computer having one, or multiple, input/output connectors that interface external devices with components in a computer. The input/output module is removable from the computer and interchangeable with a different input/output module having a different input/output connector than the first input/output module. The input/output module passes unmodified signals, and/or processes signals and passes modified signals, between the external devices and the computer components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dennis R Esterberg, James P Dickie
  • Publication number: 20040057204
    Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer includes a housing, and an electrical interface supported by the housing and configured to electrically couple the docking station and the portable computer. The electrical interface is movable between a first position and a second position angularly displaced from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Memphis Zhihong Yin, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20040049610
    Abstract: In an implementation of interchangeable and configurable input/output module, a computing device includes one or more components that each perform a function in response to an input from an associated external device. An input/output module is configured for installation within a housing of the computing device and includes one or more input/output connectors that interface one or more associated external devices with the one or more components in the computing device. The input/output module is further configured to pass one or more unmodified signals between the one or more components and the one or more associated external devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis R. Esterberg, James P. Dicki
  • Publication number: 20040019665
    Abstract: Various systems, methods, and computer programs embodied in computer readable mediums are provided for accessing a number of networks with a mobile device. In this respect, accessing the networks involves storing a number of network configurations in the mobile device and selecting one of the network configurations in the mobile device to be used to log the mobile device onto a corresponding one of the networks. When a selection is made, the mobile device is logged onto the corresponding one of the networks using the selected one of the network configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas T. Liang, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Patent number: 6683786
    Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer includes a housing, and an electrical interface supported by the housing and configured to electrically couple the docking station and the portable computer. The electrical interface is movable between a first position and a second position angularly displaced from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Memphis Zhihong Yin, Dennis R Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20030202339
    Abstract: A key, which may be used in a user interface, including indicia formed at least in part from UV reactive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Glen A. Oross, Dennis R. Esterberg, Memphis Zhihong Yin
  • Publication number: 20030202337
    Abstract: A key, which may be used in a user interface, including indicia formed at least in part from phosphorescent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Memphis Zhihong Yin, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20030128505
    Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer includes a housing, and an electrical interface supported by the housing and configured to electrically couple the docking station and the portable computer. The electrical interface is movable between a first position and a second position angularly displaced from the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Memphis Zhihong Yin, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20020163204
    Abstract: A grip is used to communicate force between a digit, such as a user's finger or thumb, to a receiver. The grip includes a first tab that inserts into a first end portion of the receiver. The grip further includes a second tab that inserts into a second end portion of the receiver. The second end portion may be substantially opposite the first end portion. Further, the grip includes a depression that is formed into an area between the first and second end, wherein the depression is formed to accord with the user's digit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Charles W. Singleton, Robert P. Bliven, Memphis Zhihong Yin, Michael D. Derocher, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Patent number: 6473046
    Abstract: A device includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure. A first edge of the second enclosure is coupled to an edge of the first enclosure. The device also includes an antenna, located within the second enclosure, wherein the antenna is coupled to a linkage that cooperates with the first enclosure to extend the antenna when an edge opposite the first edge of the second enclosure is rotated about the edge of said first enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: James P. Dickie, Dennis R Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20020152372
    Abstract: Upon activation of a portable computer, a check is made to see if a user has indicated a reduced operating system is to be used. If the user has indicated the reduced operating system is to be used, the reduced operating system is activated. The reduced operating system is stored within a special memory area within the portable computer. The reduced operating system uses less system resources than a full function operating system for the portable computer. If the computer is activated and the user has not indicated the reduced operating system is to be used, the full function operating system of the portable computer is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: James R. Cole, James P. Dickie, Robert P. Bliven, Dennis R. Esterberg, Chadwick W. Stryker
  • Publication number: 20020145846
    Abstract: A computer that includes a computer base, a display and an articulated mechanism formed as modules with mating mechanical connectors. The mating mechanical connectors enable the computer base to be configured with the display either directly or indirectly via the articulated mechanism. The articulated mechanism configuration enables the display to be rotatable about the bottom edge of the display at any of a plurality of viewing angles and also to be oriented above the computer base in a plurality of positions. Preferably, a stabilizer mechanism stabilizes and locks the articulated mechanism to selected angular positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Jacques H. Helot, Michael D. Derocher, Dennis R. Esterberg
  • Patent number: 6459575
    Abstract: An external cooling module is removably coupled to a portable computer. A heat sink absorbs heat within the computer case. The cooling module includes a heat pipe which inserts into the heat sink and moves the heat from the portable computer into the cooling module, where it is dissipated to the external environment. Where the module includes a fan, power is provided by either a resident source, the portable computer, or an AC adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Dennis R Esterberg
  • Patent number: 6437973
    Abstract: A computer that includes a computer base a display and an articulated mechanism formed as modules with mating mechanical connectors. The mating mechanical connectors enable the computer base to be configured with the display either directly or indirectly via the articulated mechanism. The articulated mechanism configuration enables the display to be rotatable about the bottom edge of the display at any of a plurality of viewing angles and also to be oriented above the computer base in a plurality of positions. Preferably, a stabilizer mechanism stabilizes and locks the articulated mechanism to selected angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Jacques H Helot, Michael D Derocher, Dennis R Esterberg
  • Publication number: 20020095533
    Abstract: An input/output module for a computer having one, or multiple, input/output connectors that interface external devices with components in a computer. The input/output module is removable from the computer and interchangeable with a different input/output module having a different input/output connector than the first input/output module. The input/output module passes unmodified signals, and/or processes signals and passes modified signals, between the external devices and the computer components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Dennis R. Esterberg, James P. Dickie
  • Patent number: 6266241
    Abstract: A notebook computer has a base with a keyboard. A display is attached to the base. A stand having a first and second position is mounted to the base such that when the stand is in the first position the display is at a first height and when the stand is in the second position, the display is at a second height that is at least one inch higher than the first height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Andrew L. Van Brocklin, Jacques H Helot, William C. Wickes, Dennis R Esterberg
  • Patent number: 6078497
    Abstract: A portable electronic device has an outer shell, a first speaker assembly, and a second speaker assembly. The first speaker assembly has a first speaker, a first speaker chamber, and an outer edge. The second speaker assembly has a second speaker, a second speaker chamber, and an outer edge. The first and second speaker assemblies are capable of being in a normal position, where the first speaker assembly outer edge and the second speaker assembly outer edge are substantially flush with the outer shell of said portable electronic device. The first and second speaker assemblies are also capable of being in an extended position, where the first speaker assembly outer edge and the second speaker assembly outer edge extend beyond the outer shell of the portable electronic device. Preferably, the first and second speaker chambers each have a larger volume when the first and second speaker assemblies are in the extended position than when they are in the normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Derocher, Glen Oross, Robert P. Bliven, Dennis R. Esterberg, Gerald W. Steiger
  • Patent number: 5825625
    Abstract: A heat conductive substrate is mounted within a through-opening of a printed circuit board. An integrated circuit then is mounted to one side of the heat conductive substrate, while a heat sink is fixed in thermal contact to the other side of the substrate. There is no direct thermal contact between the IC and the PC board. The substrate is mounted to an undersurface of the PC board and concentrically spaced from the PC board within the opening. An air gap occurs between the substrate and the PC board within the opening to substantially reduce heat conductivity into the PC board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Esterberg, Mark A. Smith, Paul A. Rubens, Tracy A. Lang
  • Patent number: 5781177
    Abstract: A high-speed infrared ("IR") port and a low-speed IR port are co-located at a notebook computer display panel housing. Both IR ports are directional with a different sensing direction. The high-speed IR port is located along an upper side edge of the display panel housing. The low-speed IR port is located above the display panel along the viewing face of the display panel housing adjacent to the high-speed IR port. The low-speed IR port is disabled while the notebook computer display panel is in the closed position, and is enabled when out of the closed position. Conversely, the high-speed IR port is enabled while the notebook computer display panel is in the closed position and is disabled when out of the closed position. Collocating the ports allows convenient access to each port. The ports share a common electrical interface thereby reducing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Jacques H. Helot, Michael D. Derocher, Dennis R. Esterberg, Peter J. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 5668882
    Abstract: A loudspeaker configuration for a notebook computer includes one or more high frequency "upper" speakers and a low frequency "lower" speaker. The upper speakers are mounted within a display housing and emit sounds over a range including directional sounds having wavelengths less than one-third the upper speaker diameter. The "lower" speaker is mounted within a keyboard housing. The lower speaker is oriented downward onto the desktop or other support surface and displaces a larger volume of air than the upper speaker. Open space between a processor board and a lower housing base surface define an internal speaker-box chamber for the lower speaker. The housing base surface and a support surface for the computer defining an external speaker box for the lower speaker. The internal speaker box and external speaker box define a band pass acoustic filter for sound waves emitted from the second speaker. The sound waves passing through the band pass filter occur to a listener as non-directional sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Scott Nobel Hickman, Mark A. Smith, Brian G. Spreadbury, Dennis R. Esterberg