Patents by Inventor Dropps

Dropps 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).

  • Publication number: 20050018701
    Abstract: A method and system for transmitting frames using a fibre channel switch element is provided. The switch element includes a port having a receive segment and a transmit segment, wherein the fibre channel switch element determines if a port link has been reset; determines if a flush state has been enabled for the port; and removes frames from a buffer, if the flush state has been enabled for the port. For a flush state operation, frames are removed from a receive buffer of the fibre channel port as if it is a typical fibre channel frame transfer. The removed frames are sent to a processor for analysis. The method also includes, setting a control bit for activating frame removal from the transmit buffer; and diverting frames that are waiting in the transmit buffer and have not been able to move from the transmit buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Dropps, Gary Papenfuss
  • Publication number: 20050018671
    Abstract: A method and system for keeping an arbitrated loop open during a frame gap using a fibre channel switch element is provided. The switch element includes a port control module having a receive and transmit segment, wherein the transmit segment activates a timer whose value determines a duration during which the arbitrated loop remains open; determines if a last frame from a sequence of frames from a source port has been transmitted; modifies the timer value if a higher priority frame for transmission is unavailable; and keeps the arbitrated loop open until the timer reaches a certain value. If a higher priority frame is available for transmission before the timer value is modified then the higher priority frame is transmitted and the timer value is re-initialized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Dropps, Ernest Kohlwey, Gary Papenfuss
  • Publication number: 20050018672
    Abstract: A method and system for implementing LUN based hard zoning in a fibre channel network is provided. A LUN field in a Fibre Channel SCSI command frame is compared with a list of LUNS that are allowed for a particular frame source; and the frame is forwarded if the LUN is allowed for the frame source. The comparison is performed by a port receiving the frame by using an address look up table (“ALUT”). Hard zoning is based on various frame fields and/or ALUT control codes. Also provided is a method for processing a reply to a SCSI REPORT LUN command from an initiator. The method includes, intercepting a reply to a REPORT LUN command; editing the reply to remove unauthorized LUNs; and sending the edited reply to the initiator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Dropps, William Gustafson, Gary Papenfuss
  • Publication number: 20040019367
    Abstract: A method and device for transmitting a signal in an implantable medical device that includes a control unit and a first electrode and a second electrode positioned along a lead body. A connector block is positioned along an upper portion of a housing portion of the control unit, and a connector is positioned at a proximal portion of the lead body and is insertable within the connector block. A third electrode having a conductive element is positioned along the control unit in close proximity adjacent to the connector. The control unit transmits a signal between the first electrode and the second electrode and determines an alternate transmission path of the signal between the third electrode and one or both of the first electrode and the second electrode in response to the signal not being effectively transmitted between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Roger Dahl, Frank Dropps, Randy Nelson, Mark Stockburger
  • Publication number: 20030181953
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing a device component failure analysis in an implantable medical device using current consumption data. A current consumption signal relating to current consumption in an implantable medical device is generated. The current consumption signal is then processed. A defect of a component in the implantable medical device is assessed in response to the processing of the current consumption signal and appropriate action is taken, such as selecting alternate therapies, generating an alert signal, and turning off circuits corresponding to the assessed defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Frank R. Dropps, Dennis A. Brumwell
  • Publication number: 20030179748
    Abstract: Hardware-enforced zoning is provided in Fibre Channel switches to protect against breaching of assigned zones in a switch network which can occur with software-based zoning techniques. The invention provides logic for performing a hardware-based validation of the Source ID S_ID of frames both at the point where the frame enters the Fibre Channel fabric, and at the point where the frame leaves the fabric. The S_ID is verified against an inclusion list or table of allowable S_IDs, which can be unique for each fabric port. The invention provides a way to increase the range of sources an inclusion table can express, by implementing wild cards, on an entry-by entry basis. If the S_ID is valid, it will enter the fabric and route normally. If invalid, the frame will not be routed but will be disposed of by the fabric according to FC rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: William R. George, Frank R. Dropps
  • Patent number: 6425243
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold 10 having a body 12 and a plurality of flanges 14-24. The body 12 is separately fabricated apart from flanges 14-24. The flanges 14-24 are later joined to the body and cooperatively form an exhaust manifold 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Yuan-Fun Chen, Michael Marvin Landgraf, Steven Henry Dropps
  • Patent number: 6366810
    Abstract: A deterministic and jitter-free dual chamber brady pacemaker utilizes both a programmed microprocessor and a hardware state machine, both of which are coupled to a real time clock (RTC), random access memory (RAM) and a common escape interval timer. Time of occurrence (TOC) data representative of the time and nature of atrial and ventricular sensed events and pacing events is stored in the RAM. Escape interval periods are timed by the escape interval timer. The microprocessor is operable in both an active mode and an inactive mode without interrupts. In response to the receipt of wakeup commands, the microprocessor operates in the active mode and uses the TOC data from the RAM to reset the escape interval timer to a desired next event interval. The hardware state machine uses the common escape interval timer for timing timeout events and atrial and ventricular sensed events such that pacing pulses are delivered in a determinate manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Angeion Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Johnson, Frank Dropps, Jean-Cheui Hsung, James Marcotte
  • Patent number: 5994880
    Abstract: A magnetic sensing circuit is arranged in cooperative relation to a flyback transformer in a capacitor charging circuit for directly sensing the state of the transformer magnetic field for controlling the switching of power to the primary winding of the flyback transformer. A first threshold is sensed when the flyback transformer is nearly saturated with magnetic energy storage. A second threshold is sensed when all of the magnetic energy stored in the flyback transformer has been transferred to the capacitor. The sensed thresholds are used to optimally control the switching of power to the primary winding to maximize the efficiency and minimize the charging time of the capacitor charging circuit. A capacitor charging circuit which utilizes the present invention can be part of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Angeion Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Dropps
  • Patent number: 5296795
    Abstract: A solid state starting system for electric motors having main and auxiliary windings of the capacitor start induction run and capacitor start-capacitor run types uses a triac serially connected to the auxiliary winding. The system differentially measures the auxiliary winding voltage and provides a triac gate signal when in the START mode. When the auxiliary voltage reaches a calibratable cut-out voltage the triac is disabled until the auxiliary winding voltage decreases to a level below a calibratable cut-in voltage. The slope of the percent motor speed cut-out versus percent line voltage is calibratable to permit compensation for variations in line voltage. The triac can be directly driven or driven through an optically coupled interface having a triac output (OCI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin J. Dropps, Herbert A. Thompson, James Alvernaz, Robert H. Fugere
  • Patent number: 5103154
    Abstract: A single phase, capacitor start electric motor is shown in which energization of the auxiliary winding is controlled by a triac. The triac is protected from excessive voltages caused by the vector sum of capacitor, line and induced voltages which can occur at turn-off of the triac. The triac is protected in several embodiments by a gated semiconductor switch serially connected to a current limiting or discharge resistor, both being coupled across the triac. The semiconductor switch has a voltage breakdown device connected in its gate circuit. When voltage across the triac exceeds a selected level the gated semiconductor is turned on thereby drawing sufficient current momentarily to limit the voltage across the triac to a safe level and allowing the capacitor to discharge its voltage through the auxiliary winding circuit. In another embodiment a stack of high voltage bilateral triggering devices is placed across the triac.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin J. Dropps, Herbert A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4843295
    Abstract: A solid state starting system for electric motors having main and start windings of the capacitor start, capacitor start-capacitor run and split phase types uses a triac serially connected to the start winding. The system turns on the triac upon energization of the motor from an at rest condition and measures the locked rotor value of either the main winding current for any of the above motor types or start winding voltage for the capacitor start, capacitor start-capacitor run motor types. The system stores that valve as a calibration value and then measures subsequent values and turns off the triac when the subsequent values reach a selected proportion of the calibration value. The system re-energizes the triac upon further subsequent measured values reaching a selected cut in value relative to the calibration value which is indicative of an overload or stall condition. The calibration value is retained for a given period of time following a loss of power to provide desired starting characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Herbert A. Thompson, Paul R. Tomlinson, Kevin J Dropps, Ronald A. Mancini