Patents by Inventor Howard Locker

Howard Locker 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: 20140002248
    Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards a technology by which a device includes one or more haptic feedback mechanisms that may be operated in a controlled manner to output amplitude-controlled vibrations. In one aspect, the vibrations from at least two haptic feedback mechanisms are combined, providing different amplitudes at different device locations. In one aspect, a haptic feedback mechanism outputs vibrations with a one amplitude in one state, and another, different amplitude in at least one other state, as controlled by the controller. The different states may correspond to different weights being driven at different times, and/or different positions of one or more weights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD
    Inventors: Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki, Scott Edwards Kelso, Axel Ramirez Flores, Howard Locker, John Weldon Nicholson, John Miles Hunt
  • Publication number: 20130346776
    Abstract: An apparatus for a sleep state video interface of an information handling device includes a storage device storing machine-readable code and a processor executing the machine-readable code. The apparatus includes a notification module receiving a sleep notification to place an information handling device into a sleep state. The information handling device receives a video signal. The apparatus includes a sleep module entering the information handling device into the sleep state in response to the notification module receiving the sleep notification. The video signal passes through the information handling device to a display as the information handling device is in the sleep state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Song Wang, Howard Locker, John Miles Hunt, John Weldon Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8607085
    Abstract: The instant invention broadly contemplates an energy saving subsystem comprising a secondary CPU that utilizes less power than a main CPU, thereby allowing an electronic device (e.g. a laptop PC) having the secondary CPU to use less power and run for longer periods of time on a limited power supply. Thus, the invention permits the electronic device to be utilized for extended periods and extends the battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell A. Resnick, Howard Locker, Mark C. Davis, David C. Challener
  • Patent number: 8595012
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products configured to provide sound feedback for input devices are described. Embodiments take input from a digitizer, such as input using as stylus/pen, and produce sound feedback to enhance the user's input interface experience. Embodiments thus provide a user with a more realistic interface with an electronic device, emulating use of conventional writing implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Harriss Christopher Neil Ganey, Jay W. Johnson, Aaron M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8566600
    Abstract: In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is broadly contemplated herein the managing of a POP not solely in the BIOS but at least partly in a more secure location. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, this location could be in a NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) inside a TPM (trusted platform module). Most preferably, this location will contain code that the BIOS preferably will need to access and employ in order to complete the booting of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David C. Challener, Howard Locker, Randall S. Springfield
  • Publication number: 20130249813
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for touch input. An apparatus for touch input includes a sensor module and a display module. The sensor module determines a site of an input object in relation to a touch-sensitive input surface when the input object is within a sensing range of the touch-sensitive input surface. The display module displays a cursor within a touch-optimized graphical user interface (GUI). The cursor is displayed on a display at a display location corresponding to the site of the input object. The touch-sensitive input surface is separate from the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Daryl Cromer, Steven Richard Perrin
  • Patent number: 8539246
    Abstract: Systems, methods and products are described that provide secure resume for encrypted drives. One aspect provides a method including: receiving an indication to resume from a suspended state at a computing device; responsive to authenticating a user at one or more input devices, accessing a value in a BIOS derived from authenticating the user at the one or more input devices; responsive to accessing the value, releasing a credential for unlocking one or more encrypted drives; and thereafter proceeding to resume from the suspend state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Seethaler, Randall S. Springfield, Howard Locker, Joseph M. Pennisi
  • Patent number: 8504810
    Abstract: A method computer usable medium and computer system circuitry are disclosed for starting or “booting up” a computer from a remote location using a remote command device such as a cellular telephone. The method and system includes a secure means for remotely storing and transmitting security passwords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David Carroll Challener, Daryl Cromer, Howard Locker, Randall Scott Springfield
  • Publication number: 20130162514
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for gesture mode selection. An apparatus for gesture mode selection includes a detection module, a gesture mode module, and a gesture recognition module. The detection module detects a triggering event. The gesture mode module sets a gesture mode from an idle mode to an enhanced mode based on the detection of the triggering event. The gesture recognition module processes data from a non-contact input device to detect gestures according to the gesture mode set by the gesture mode module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki, Daryl Cromer, Howard Locker, John Weldon Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8473747
    Abstract: Systems, methods and products are described that provide secure boot with a minimum number of re-boots. One aspect provides a method including receiving an indication to boot from a power off state at a computing device; responsive to authenticating a user at one or more input devices, releasing a value derived from authenticating the user at the one or more input devices; responsive to releasing the value, unlocking one or more encrypted drives with a previously established alternate credential; and thereafter proceeding to boot from the power off state. By not having to call the non-BIOS software each boot, this minimizes the number of reboots for each boot cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Randall S. Springfield, Joseph M. Pennisi, Howard Locker, Kenneth S. Seethaler
  • Publication number: 20130154957
    Abstract: Systems, methods and products directed toward snap to center user interface navigation are presented herein. One aspect includes executing an ultra-mobile user interface displayed on a display device accessible by an information handling device, the ultra-mobile user interface being comprised of one or more landing zones; ascertaining a user selected position within the ultra-mobile user interface based on user input communicated through one or more input devices operatively coupled with the information handling device; and selecting one of the one or more landing zones determined to be in closest proximity to the user selected position. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Daryl Cromer, Steven R. Perrin
  • Publication number: 20130138796
    Abstract: An apparatus for distance-based network resource discovery includes a storage device storing machine-readable code and a processor executing the machine-readable code. The machine-readable code includes a determination module determining a distance between an information handling device and a network resource capable of communication with the information handling device. The machine readable code also includes a policy module following a discovery policy according to the distance. The discovery policy is associated with discovery of the network resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: John Weldon Nicholson, Daryl Cromer, John Miles Hunt, Howard Locker
  • Publication number: 20130138797
    Abstract: Systems, methods and products directed toward context aware device disconnection are provided herein. One aspect includes obtaining one or more physical measurements of an information handling device connected to one or more external systems, the one or more physical measurements being measured using one or more physical characteristic measurement elements; analyzing the one or more physical measurements using one or more policy settings configured in one or more disconnection policies stored on the information handling device; and initiating one or more disconnection events responsive to the one or more physical measurements matching the one or more policy settings. Other embodiments are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Daryl Cromer, John Miles Hunt, John Weldon Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8446372
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated touchpad adjustments. A Touchpad Corrective Action (TCA) detection module detects a TCA within a specified input limit after a touchpad input. An adjustment module decreases a touchpad sensitivity in response to detecting the TCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, James Joseph Thrasher, Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki
  • Patent number: 8433924
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for authentication of a core root of trust measurement chain. The apparatus for authentication of a CRTM chain is provided with a plurality of modules configured to carry out the steps of retrieving a decryption key from a predetermined location on the device selected for authentication, decrypting an authentication signal using the decryption key, and communicating the decrypted authentication signal to a user. In the described embodiments, these modules include a retrieval module, a decryption module, and a communication module. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would reliably verify that a link in the CRTM chain has not been corrupted, modified, or infected with a computer virus. Specifically, such an apparatus, system, and method would enable verification that the hypervisor has not been corrupted, modified, or infected with a computer virus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David Carroll Challener, Howard Locker, Randall Scott Springfield, Rod D. Waltermann
  • Publication number: 20130051765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for capturing video content. A buffer stores a most recent time interval of a video signal. A capture module stops overwrite of a stored video signal in response to a capture command. A copy module retrieves the stored video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Thano Matthews, Axel Ramirez Flores, Howard Locker
  • Publication number: 20130055102
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for adapting a user interface of a remote desktop host. The apparatus includes a processor, a memory, a detection module and an adaptation module. The detection module detects a remote desktop connection between a remote client and a host. The remote client and the host may have different user interface characteristics. The adaptation module adapts a user interface of the host to accommodate user interface characteristics of the remote client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Thano Matthews, Scott Edwards Kelso, Howard Locker, Axel Ramirez Flores
  • Patent number: 8364943
    Abstract: Arrangements for employing a system BIOS (basic input/output system) to handle email during a suspended state (such as an “S3” state as will be better understood herebelow). Preferably, the BIOS is employed to “jump” between two suspended images such that, e.g., two more powerful OS's can be employed to manage the mail function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David C. Challener, Daryl Cromer, Justin T. Dubs, Howard Locker, James S. Rutledge, Randall S. Springfield, James J. Thrasher, Michael T. Vanover
  • Publication number: 20120324124
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented for a maximum speed criterion for a velocity gesture. The apparatus includes a processor, a memory, a determination module and a transmission module. The determination module determines, through a wireless communication infrastructure mode, an amount of wireless network activity. The transmission module sets a rate of data transmission in a peer to peer mode based on the amount of wireless network activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE, LTD.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Daryl Cromer, Philip John Jakes
  • Publication number: 20120311361
    Abstract: Systems, methods and products are described that provide predictive power state transitions for information handling devices. One aspect includes ascertaining a power state transitioning pattern of an information handling device; responsive to a power state transition to a first lower power state at said information handling device, performing an additional power state transition to automatically transition the information handling device to a second lower power state, said second lower power state being a lower power state relative to said first lower power state; and proactively resuming the information handling device to the first lower power state responsive to a timing threshold being met; wherein the timing threshold is determined based on the power state transitioning pattern ascertained. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard Locker, Akihisa Iwakawa, Joshua N. Novak, Nathan J. Peterson, Vincent J. DeCaro, Jason P. Parrish, Scott T. Elliott