Patents by Inventor Kenneth Kenton

Kenneth Kenton 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).

  • Self-identifying peripheral device
    Patent number: 6272560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a newly installed peripheral device such as a disk device to be used with a computer system without changing the operating system. The peripheral device is identified as a type which is not recognized by an operating system operating in conjunction with the computer system. A value which identifies at least one logical attribute of said peripheral device is obtained from said peripheral device. A determination is made as to whether the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible based on the logical attribute obtained from the peripheral device. The operating system and the peripheral device communicate if it is determined that the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible (i.e., can operate together).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kenton, Richard A. Coffman, Jr., Edward A. Miller, Michael Saunders, Jeffery A. Stell
  • Self-identifying peripheral device
    Patent number: 5822614
    Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a newly installed peripheral device such as a disk device to be used with a computer system without changing the operating system. The peripheral device is identified as a type which is not recognized by an operating system operating in conjunction with the computer system. A value which identifies at least one logical attribute of said peripheral device is obtained from said peripheral device. A determination is made as to whether the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible based on the logical attribute obtained from the peripheral device. The operating system and the peripheral device communicate if it is determined that the operating system and the peripheral device are compatible (i.e., can operate together).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kenton, Richard A. Coffman, Jr., Edward A. Miller, Michael Saunders, Jeffery A. Stell
  • Automated system and method to discourage access of unlicensed peripheral devices by a computer system
    Patent number: 5479612
    Abstract: System and method of encouraging computer system customers to purchase licenses before employing certain types of peripheral devices for use with their computer system. The computer system establishes contact with a peripheral device. It then verifies that the peripheral device is supported by the operating system. If the peripheral device is supported, the system determines whether the peripheral device is licensed (and therefore requires a driver license key in order for the peripheral device to be accessed by the system). If the peripheral device requires a driver license, the system determines whether the corresponding driver license key is installed in the keys file of the computer system. If the driver license key is not installed, the system compels (or encourages) installation of the driver license key by (1) displaying a licensing violation message instructing the customer to obtain the proper license; and/or (2) precluding access of the peripheral device by the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Kenton, Jeffery A. Stell, Richard A. Coffman, Jr.