Patents by Inventor John A. Holmes

John A. Holmes 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: 20050270729
    Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a system motherboard; and a display secured to the system motherboard The display comprises a display panel, and a circuit board carrying display electronics for the display panel. The system motherboard includes a cavity, and the display electronics extend from the circuit board into the cavity. Preferably, the cavity comprises an aperture, and the display electronics are compactly disposed on the circuit board within a common area that is aligned with the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: John Holmes, Marc Drader, Chao Chen, Robert Lowles, Robert Phillips, Doug Fregin, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Publication number: 20050265574
    Abstract: A cover for a display device for a communication device is provided. The cover comprises: external dimensions shaped to fit said cover in a case for said communication device; a top surface; a bottom surface; a non-opaque region adapted to cover said display device allowing a user to see said display device; and a region defining a top of an enclosure cavity for a speaker associated with said communication device. Sound holes in the cover are preferably present. A recess around the region is provided for fitting with a cover for the recess. A communication device comprising the cover is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: John Holmes, Felipe Simoes, Larry Hawker
  • Patent number: 6969263
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for connecting at least one electrical contact pad on a first structure with at least one electrical contact pad on an opposing second structure. The connector assembly has a body and electrical connectors extending from the body, and is mountable relative to the first and second structures such that the electrical connectors engage electrical contact pads on the first and second structures. The electrical connectors are of a springy metal and are configured to be suitably biased against the contact pads when the connector assembly is assembled with the first and second structures, so as to provide a contact biasing force preferably in the range of 0.7N±0.2N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Chao Chen, John A. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20050235021
    Abstract: A keyboard includes a plurality of keys associated with alphanumeric characters including the letters A-Z and at least the numbers 1-9. The keys are split into a left side section and a right side section. The left side section is oriented at least partially above the right side section, or the right side section is oriented at least partially above the left side section. A mobile communication device includes the keyboard. A method for inputting alphanumeric characters into a mobile communication device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Chao Chen, John Holmes
  • Publication number: 20050193233
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for programming a plurality of memory devices arranged in parallel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of memory devices comprises first and second memory devices, and the method comprises providing successively the first address to the first memory device and the second address to the second memory device. The first address refers to a first group of storage locations in the first memory device and the second address refers to a second group of storage locations in the second memory device. The method then proceeds to load in parallel a string of data to the first and second memory devices so that the string of data is written simultaneously to the first group of storage locations in the first memory device and to the second group of storage locations in the second memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Paul Magliocco, Young Kim, Richard Greene, John Holmes
  • Publication number: 20050165277
    Abstract: A seal is provided for effectively inhibiting the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape is disposed therein. The seal has a body portion with a proximal end adapted for insertion of the elongate device, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of the endoscope, and a wall defining a lumen adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope. The seal includes a sealing element for sealing the region of the elongate device with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The sealing element conforms to the profile of the non-circular region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Oscar Carrillo, John Holmes, Kevin Richardson
  • Publication number: 20050157628
    Abstract: Improvements in the shape of three-dimensional features displayed in optical recording structures, particularly in such structures displaying features of differing dimensional characteristics. The shape improvements include reductions in berm height and width, dual level data marks and tracking guides, and land areas projecting above or into the surface of the recording structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Wilkinson, John Rilum, Carlyle Eberly, John Holmes
  • Patent number: 6919879
    Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is provided. The handheld device includes a keyboard, a display, and a processor. The keyboard is horizontally positioned symmetrically between a left edge and a right edge of a face of the hand-held messaging device. The keyboard has a plurality of keys arranged in a plurality of rows across the face, wherein each row of keys is arranged in a concave pattern. The display is vertically positioned between the keyboard and a top edge of the face and is horizontally positioned symmetrically between the left edge and the right edge of the face. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and the display, and controls the operation of the hand-held messaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason T. Griffin, David M. Walters, John A. Holmes, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Publication number: 20050148238
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for connecting at least one electrical contact pad on a first structure with at least one electrical contact pad on an opposing second structure. The connector assembly has a body and electrical connectors extending from the body, and is mountable relative to the first and second structures such that the electrical connectors engage electrical contact pads on the first and second structures. The electrical connectors are of a springy metal and are configured to be suitably biased against the contact pads when the connector assembly is assembled with the first and second structures, so as to provide a contact biasing force preferably in the range of 0.7N+0.2N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Chao Chen, John Holmes
  • Patent number: 6897777
    Abstract: A target junction is illuminated with energy at a fundamental RF frequency and reflections from the non-linear junction are analyzed to determine the type of junction detected. The power output level of a transmitter emitting the illuminating signal is automatically controlled so as to drive the signal strength of the received signals towards a predetermined value, e.g. a minimum threshold value. An indication of the current received signal strength, adjusted by a factor so as to compensate for any automatic adaptation in the actual transmitter power output level, may be provided to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Audiotel International Limited
    Inventors: Steven John Holmes, Andrew Barry Stephen
  • Patent number: 6891235
    Abstract: An FET has a T-shaped gate. The FET has a halo diffusion self-aligned to the bottom portion of the T and an extension diffusion self aligned to the top portion. The halo is thereby separated from the extension implant, and this provides significant advantages. The top and bottom portions of the T-shaped gate can be formed of layers of two different materials, such as germanium and silicon. The two layers are patterned together. Then exposed edges of the bottom layer are selectively chemically reacted and the reaction products are etched away to provide the notch. In another embodiment, the gate is formed of a single gate conductor. A metal is conformally deposited along sidewalls, recess etched to expose a top portion of the sidewalls, and heated to form silicide along bottom portions. The silicide is etched to provide the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven John Holmes, David Vaclav Horak, Edward Joseph Nowak
  • Publication number: 20050082148
    Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electromechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electromechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Dave Ma, Herrebertus Tempelman, John Holmes
  • Patent number: 6875703
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a quadruple density sidewall image transfer (SIT) structure. Oxide spacers are formed on opposite sidewalls of a first mandrel. The oxide spacers form a second mandrel. Then sidewall spacers are formed on opposite sidewalls of the oxide spacers forming the second mandrel. A pattern of the sidewall spacers is used to form the quadruple density sidewall image transfer (SIT) structure. The method of the invention enables formation of four well-controlled lines for each lithographically minimum pitch dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Furukawa, Mark Charles Hakey, Steven John Holmes, David Vaclav Horak, Charles William Koburger, III, Peter H. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6873317
    Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are preferably placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason T. Griffin, John A. Holmes, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Patent number: 6867763
    Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are preferably placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason T. Griffin, John A. Holmes, Mihal Lazaridis
  • Patent number: 6863661
    Abstract: An endoscope seal that effectively inhibits the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a non-circular shaft is disposed therein. The endoscope seal includes a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of an elongate device such as a rapid exchange biliary catheter, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of an endoscope, a lumen extending therethrough which is adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope, and a means for conforming to the non-circular shaft of the elongate device to inhibit the flow of fluid from the working channel of the endoscope. The conforming means may, for example, comprise one or more protrusions extending radially inward in the lumen of the body portion, a sealing material such as a surgical foam that is disposed in the lumen of the body portion, or a sealing mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar R. Carrillo, Jr., John Holmes, Kevin Richardson
  • Publication number: 20050047898
    Abstract: A linkage support system and method for mounting and supporting a linkage on a work vehicle. The linkage support system includes a load bearing support and a removable linkage pin support rigidly attached to the load bearing support. The work vehicle is, typically, an earthmoving vehicle which includes a frame, a work tool such as a bucket, and a linkage for manipulating the work tool. The load bearing support may be a portion of the frame of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Latham, David O'Brien, Gregory Werner, John Carruthers, John Holmes, Thomas Roller
  • Publication number: 20050011205
    Abstract: A control system for a refrigeration system having a refrigeration compartment and a quick chill/thaw pan. A main controller board, electrically connected to a temperature adjustment board and a dispenser board through the serial communications bus, controls the temperature of the refrigeration compartment and the quick chill/thaw pan. The control system accepts a plurality of inputs to determine a refrigeration mode and to execute a plurality of software algorithms to control the refrigeration compartment as both a chill pan to rapidly chill food and beverage items without freezing and a thaw pan to timely thaw frozen items at controlled temperature levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: John Holmes, Jerry Queen, Rollie Herzog, Mark Mathews, Robert Bultman, Tim Holder, Wolfgang Daum
  • Publication number: 20050005014
    Abstract: An exemplary method involves creating a master session over a first connection through a server; and creating a virtual channel over the connection, the virtual channel operable to communicate a feature session. The method may involve establishing a direct connection that bypasses the server, and switching communication of the feature session to the direct connection. A system for network communication includes a plurality of transport bridges, each transport bridge corresponding to an active network device configuration, and a switching module operable to choose one of the transport bridges to form a connection between two computing devices based on the active network device configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: John Holmes, David Miller, Walter VonKock
  • Publication number: 20050004993
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a name associated with a user on a remote computer, the name including location data and a hash value uniquely associated with a data object representing the user and retrieving the data object from one of a local cache based on the hash value or a location identified by the location data. A system for managing objects representing users in an instant messaging conversation includes a data object representing a user, the data object having an object name including a location identifier and a hash value, the object name allowing, and an object store operable to retrieve the data object from a location identified by the location identifier and store the data object in a local cache based on the hash value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: David Miller, John Holmes, Walter VonKoch