Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Allen

Gregory M. Allen 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: 20230236840
    Abstract: A device including first firmware of a first type and second firmware of a second type different from the first type. The first firmware configures the device to be installed into a first information handling system associated with the first type. The second firmware configures the device to be installed into a second information handling system associated with the second type. The device is configured to receive a firmware commit command that command includes either a first indication to commit the first firmware, or a second indication to commit the second firmware, but not both indications. The device further determines that the firmware commit command includes the first indication and locks the device to use the first firmware and not the second firmware, and determines that the firmware commit command includes the second indication and locks the device to use the second firmware and not the first firmware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Frank Widjaja Yu, Gregory M. Allen
  • Publication number: 20210342487
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing one-time programmable features for storage devices. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: initialize a one-time programmable (OTP) security storage device; and transmit a command to the OTP security storage device, where the OTP security device is configured to be set in security or non-security mode in response to the command, and where the OTP security storage device is configured to deny or ignore any subsequent command to set the OTP security storage device in a security mode or a non-security mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Widjaja Yu, Jonathan Jay Kellen, Gregory M. Allen
  • Publication number: 20090052081
    Abstract: A track map of a disk drive is generated to compensate for various conditions. A track map is a stored measurement of every “half” servo track width on a disk. Every servo half track width is measured in the factory on a disk and then the data is stored on the disk for use during drive operations. When an individual track is accessed, the appropriate servo half track width data is pulled from memory and is used to adjust a scale factor for that local half track width. The track map may be used to compensate for various conditions including varying servo track width, microjog distance, and data track spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: IOMEGA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott E. Chase, Daniel D. Rochat, Lawrence Moon, Gregory M. Allen
  • Patent number: 7460328
    Abstract: A track map of a disk drive is generated to compensate for various conditions. A track map is a stored measurement of every “half” servo track width on a disk. Every servo half track width is measured in the factory on a disk and then the data is stored on the disk for use during drive operations. When an individual track is accessed, the appropriate servo half track width data is pulled from memory and is used to adjust a scale factor for that local half track width. The track map may be used to compensate for various conditions including varying servo track width, microjog distance, and data track spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Chase, Daniel D. Rochat, Lawrence Moon, Gregory M. Allen
  • Patent number: 7408734
    Abstract: A disk drive uses the integration of the instantaneous velocities of the heads to estimate the distance the heads travel while latched. The disk drive can then determine if the heads are properly parked based solely on the distance traveled, thus avoiding the use of costly sensors. In the event that the heads cannot be properly parked due to some malfunction, the disk drive may store a special code in a nonvolatile memory. The special code directs the controller not to spin up or attempt to load the heads on any disk, preventing the disk from being damaged by the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Allen, Jeffery D. Penman
  • Publication number: 20080002274
    Abstract: A disk drive uses the integration of the instantaneous velocities of the heads to estimate the distance the heads travel while latched. The disk drive can then determine if the heads are properly parked based solely on the distance traveled, thus avoiding the use of costly sensors. In the event that the heads cannot be properly parked due to some malfunction, the disk drive may store a special code in a nonvolatile memory. The special code directs the controller not to spin up or attempt to load the heads on any disk, preventing the disk from being damaged by the heads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory M. Allen, Jeffery D. Penman
  • Publication number: 20080002283
    Abstract: A track map of a disk drive is generated to compensate for various conditions. A track map is a stored measurement of every “half” servo track width on a disk. Every servo half track width is measured in the factory on a disk and then the data is stored on the disk for use during drive operations. When an individual track is accessed, the appropriate servo half track width data is pulled from memory and is used to adjust a scale factor for that local half track width. The track map may be used to compensate for various conditions including varying servo track width, microjog distance, and data track spacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Scott E. Chase, Daniel D. Rochat, Lawrence Moon, Gregory M. Allen
  • Patent number: 7193809
    Abstract: A process for continually compensating for the microjog error resulting from RRO. Typically, the 1F RRO is the most significant, but the method could be applied to the microjog error caused by RRO of other frequencies. The process continually determines an instantaneous microjog error based on the RRO and adjusts the read element target position throughout one revolution, such that the write element remains centered on its intended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory M. Allen
  • Patent number: 6947248
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a unit that uses a head with spaced read and write portions to write and read information to and from an information storage medium. According to one feature, a desired position for the write element is converted into a position for the read element as a function of a polynomial. According to another feature, the unit uses the head to write and read back selected information in order to determine compensation information, the receiving unit subsequently effecting writing of information with the head as a function of the compensation information. On a more specific level, the unit can removably receive a cartridge that contains the information storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Allen, Daniel D. Rochat
  • Patent number: 6724554
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting inadvertent and unauthorized writing and reading of information to and from a storage medium comprises the steps of (a) writing a first code in a predetermined location on the storage medium, the first code being indicative of a first protection mode of the storage medium; (b) receiving a command to change the protection mode of the storage medium from the first protection mode to a second protection mode; and, in response to the command, (c) writing in the predetermined location on the storage medium, in place of the first code, a second code indicative of the second protection mode. A protection mode can inhibit writing to the storage medium, both writing and reading to and from the medium, or neither. Changing of protection modes can also be password protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Braithwaite, Clark C. Bruderer, Gregory M. Allen, David A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20030158990
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling and disabling a pull-up resistor connected to a data line of a universal serial bus is provided for universal serial bus devices that are provided with an external power source. A transistor is interconnected between VBUS of the universal serial bus connection and the input of an integrated circuit such that the voltage on the input of the integrated circuit is proportional to the voltage on VBUS. Thus, when VBUS is not present the pull-up resistor on the data line is disabled and subsequently enabled when VBUS exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory M. Allen, Don I. Jacob, Michael C. Burnside
  • Patent number: 6104561
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting inadvertent and unauthorized writing and reading of information to and from a storage medium comprises the steps of (a) writing a first code in a predetermined location on the storage medium, the first code being indicative of a first protection mode of the storage medium; (b) receiving a command to change the protection mode of the storage medium from the first protection mode to a second protection mode; and, in response to the command, (c) writing in the predetermined location on the storage medium, in place of the first code, a second code indicative of the second protection mode. A protection mode can inhibit writing to the storage medium, both writing and reading to and from the medium, or neither. Changing of protection modes can also be password protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Braithwaite, Clark C. Bruderer, Gregory M. Allen, David A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5949601
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting inadvertent and unauthorized writing and reading of information to and from a storage medium comprises the steps of (a) writing a first code in a predetermined location on the storage medium, the first code being indicative of a first protection mode of the storage medium; (b) receiving a command to change the protection mode of the storage medium from the first protection mode to a second protection mode; and, in response to the command, (c) writing in the predetermined location on the storage medium, in place of the first code, a second code indicative of the second protection mode. A protection mode can inhibit writing to the storage medium, both writing and reading to and from the medium, or neither. Changing of protection modes can also be password protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Braithwaite, Clark C. Bruderer, Gregory M. Allen, David A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5644444
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting inadvertent and unauthorized writing and reading of information to and from a storage medium comprises the steps of (a) writing a first code in a predetermined location on the storage medium, the first code being indicative of a first protection mode of the storage medium; (b) receiving a command to change the protection mode of the storage medium from the first protection mode to a second protection mode; and, in response to the command, (c) writing in the predetermined location on the storage medium, in place of the first code, a second code indicative of the second protection mode. A protection mode can inhibit writing to the storage medium, both writing and reading to and from the medium, or neither. Changing of protection modes can also be password protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Iomega Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Braithwaite, Clark C. Bruderer, Gregory M. Allen, David A. Thompson