Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Somervill

Kevin M. Somervill 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).

  • Patent number: 8473663
    Abstract: A stackable form-factor Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) device can be configured as a host controller or a master/target for use on a PCI assembly. PCI device may comprise a multiple-input switch coupled to a PCI bus, a multiplexor coupled to the switch, and a reconfigurable device coupled to one of the switch and multiplexor. The PCI device is configured to support functionality from power-up, and either control function or add-in card function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Kevin M. Somervill, Tak-kwong Ng, Wilfredo Torres-Pomales, Mahyar R. Malekpour
  • Publication number: 20110213910
    Abstract: A stackable form-factor Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) device can be configured as a host controller or a master/target for use on a PCI assembly. PCI device may comprise a multiple-input switch coupled to a PCI bus, a multiplexor coupled to the switch, and a reconfigurable device coupled to one of the switch and multiplexor. The PCI device is configured to support functionality from power-up, and either control function or add-in card function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Adm.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Somervill, Tak-kwong Ng, Wilfredo Torres-Pomales, Mayhar R. Malekpour
  • Patent number: 7236358
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a backplane coupled to the chassis and a card including a printed circuit board and an external connection bulkhead. The backplane extends in a vertical plane. The card has a major length and a minor width. The card is releasably connected to the backplane along the major length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Patent number: 7206960
    Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Barr, Ricardo Espinoza-Ibarra, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Patent number: 7146519
    Abstract: A frequency manager automatically selects a clock frequency for each device or bus, or for a plurality of devices or buses, in a system, based on various factors and objectives. These factors and objectives can include optimizing performance of the devices without exceeding the system's power/thermal budget. The frequency manager can then control circuits that generate and provide clock signals having the selected frequency(ies) to these devices or buses. For example, in a system that is less than fully populated with devices, embodiments of the invention can select higher clock frequencies than a fully populated system would utilize. Some embodiments of the invention select higher clock frequencies for high-bandwidth devices than for low-bandwidth devices. Other embodiments use information about application programs that will be executed by systems, such as which devices these application programs will frequently access, to select higher clock frequencies for the frequently accessed devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew H. Barr, Ricardo Espinoza-Ibarra, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Patent number: 7136957
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a system for changing a bus configuration of a computing device. The system includes a first bus of the computing device, a second bus, and a third bus. Additionally, a multiplexing module is coupled with the first, second, and third buses. As such, the multiplexing module can selectively couple the first bus with the second bus or the third bus. A configuration module is coupled with the multiplexing module and controls its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Somervill, Robert W. Dobbs, Loren Koehler
  • Patent number: 7136283
    Abstract: A multi-computer system includes a chassis and a plurality of computers within the chassis operable independent of one another. Each computer has a plurality of subassemblies. The subassemblies of different computers are physically grouped together within the chassis based upon at least one of size, function or configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Publication number: 20040252467
    Abstract: A multi-computer system includes a chassis and a plurality of computers within the chassis operable independent of one another. Each computer has a plurality of subassemblies. The subassemblies of different computers are physically grouped together within the chassis based upon at least one of size, function or configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill
  • Publication number: 20040252464
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a backplane coupled to the chassis and a card including a printed circuit board and an external connection bulkhead. The backplane extends in a vertical plane. The card has a major length and a minor width. The card is releasably connected to the backplane along the major length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Kevin M. Somervill