Patents by Inventor Lee W. Atkinson

Lee W. Atkinson 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: 9766669
    Abstract: A system including a chassis (102), a vent (130,132) in the chassis to exchange air from outside the chassis with air inside the chassis, a temperature sensor (114) inside the chassis, a power supply (106) to supply power to the system, and a controller (120) coupled to the temperature sensor to perform an airflow block response action (121) if the controller determines the temperature from the temperature sensor is higher than a threshold temperature for a level of power being drawn by the system from the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 9753508
    Abstract: A system comprises a first proximity sensor adapted to detect a human. The system further comprises logic coupled to the first proximity sensor. The logic adjusts a temperature threshold based on whether a human has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee W. Atkinson, Luca DiFiore
  • Patent number: 9753499
    Abstract: A method for locating a notebook computer by sending a Wake on Wireless WAN (WoW) signal via a wireless network to the notebook computer to switch ON the notebook computer; instructing the notebook computer to determine its own location using GPS if the notebook computer lid is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henry F. Lada, Jr., Lee W. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20150026830
    Abstract: A method for locating a notebook computer by sending a Wake on Wireless WAN (WoW) signal via a wireless network to the notebook computer to switch ON the notebook computer; instructing the notebook computer to determine its own location using GPS if the notebook computer lid is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henry F. Lada, JR., Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8855667
    Abstract: A method for locating a notebook computer by sending a Wake on Wireless WAN (WoW) signal via a wireless network to the notebook computer to switch ON the notebook computer; instructing the notebook computer to determine its own location using GPS if the notebook computer lid is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Henry F. Lada, Lee W. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20140285964
    Abstract: A system including a chassis (102), a vent (130,132) in the chassis to exchange air from outside the chassis with air inside the chassis, a temperature sensor (114) inside the chassis, a power supply (106) to supply power to the system, and a controller (120) coupled to the temperature sensor to perform an airflow block response action (121) if the controller determines the temperature from the temperature sensor is higher than a threshold temperature for a level of power being drawn by the system from the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110251733
    Abstract: A system comprises a first proximity sensor adapted to detect a human. The system further comprises logic coupled to the first proximity sensor. The logic adjusts a temperature threshold based on whether a human has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee W. Atkinson, Luca Di Fiore
  • Patent number: 7979725
    Abstract: A computer measures a processor load and configures itself so that a lesser amount of speculative execution is enabled when the processor is lightly loaded than is enabled when the processor is heavily loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20110004749
    Abstract: A method for launching a selected application in a computer system that is either in a sleep state or a power-off state, the computer system includes an operating system (OS) installed therein to execute applications in a normal mode of the OS. The method includes, while the computer system is in one of the sleep state and the power-off state, receiving a command to launch the selected application in the computer system, loading the OS in a sandbox mode preconfigured for the selected application, and the OS in the sandbox mode launching the selected application to run in the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Bennetts, Nozomu Yasui, Lee W. Atkinson, Kenji Okamoto, Shibata Masakazu, Josephine Tang, Chrismal R. Panditharathne
  • Patent number: 7609472
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a data storage device is provided. The exemplary data storage device includes actuation mechanism control circuitry configured to selectively operate an actuation mechanism at first and second performance levels, wherein the first performance level accesses data from a data storage medium at a faster rate than the second performance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7392099
    Abstract: A system comprises power management logic and an electrical load coupled to the power management logic. The electrical load is configurable to operate in accordance with any of a plurality of power states. The power management logic forces the electrical load to operate in a reduced power state if an operating voltage for the system is between two thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee W. Atkinson, Barry N. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7334143
    Abstract: A computer measures a processor load and configures itself so that a lesser amount of speculative execution is enabled when the processor is lightly loaded than is enabled when the processor is heavily loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7281149
    Abstract: A system for transitioning a CPU from idle to active comprises a sequencer operable to receive a stopclock signal and generate a controlled transitioning signal in response thereto, and a speed control device coupled to the sequencer and operable to controllably ramp up the operation of the CPU in response to the controlled transitioning signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7173450
    Abstract: A bus has two power consumption modes. A variable bus termination impedance is controlled to provide different bus termination impedances. A controller is coupled to the bus and includes a variable clock having different frequencies that are selectively provided to the controller. The impedance is increased or decreased responsive to the frequency being provided to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6884098
    Abstract: A space-saving technique for ports used in communication between electronic devices. The technique utilizes a common connector structure between adjacent ports to reduce spacing between the adjacent ports. Accordingly, the reduced space requirements may translate to reduced dimensions for the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven S. Homer, Lee W. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20040250035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for allowing peripheral devices within a computer system to operate regardless of the computer system's power state. A power saving state may be initiated by the computer system. The computer system may determine the memory mapping of various peripherals that may be coupled to the computer system. Due to the computer system being in a power saving state, portions of the memory may be inaccessible. Peripheral devices that are mapped to the inaccessible portions of the memory may be disabled. Other peripheral devices that are mapped to accessible portions of memory may operate normally despite the computer system being in a power saving mode. Memory control circuitry may be used to enable and disable peripheral devices, where the control circuitry may include various registers. The various registers may include information regarding the memory mapping of the peripheral devices within the computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6802015
    Abstract: A computer system supports operation of a CPU at multiple clock speeds. Logic in the computer system predicts the performance requirements of the CPU, and selects the fastest clock speed to optimize performance. In one embodiment, a Keyboard controller receives user inputs from various user input devices, including a mouse and keyboard. The Keyboard controller identifies user inputs that reflect a system command, such as, for example, a mouse click, selection of the Alt key with another key, or any special function keys associated with a software application. If such a user input is detected, the Keyboard controller generates a system management interrupt (SMI) to the CPU. In response, the CPU calls a speed control algorithm that identifies the source of the SMI and increases the clock speed to the processor by providing a control input to a multiplexer or switch that selects the highest clock speed for the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6760850
    Abstract: A computer system that selectively disables power to wake on LAN (WOL) devices in the absence of AC power. In one embodiment, the computer system comprises a power supply and a power management controller. The power supply is configured to provide power to a wakeup device. The power management controller receives an AC voltage sense signal that indicates the presence or absence of an AC power source and enables the power supply to provide power to the wakeup device when the AC voltage sense signal is asserted. The power management controller preferably disables the power supply when the AC voltage sense signal is de-asserted. The computer system may operate in several states including an off state, a power on self test (POST) state, a working state, a trap state, and an armed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee W. Atkinson, Rahul V. Lakdawala, Loren S. Dunn, Paul G. Massey
  • Publication number: 20040070371
    Abstract: A battery operated computer system implements a power management scheme based on battery behavior. The battery behavior that is monitored as part of the power management scheme may include battery temperature, current, voltage, and/or capacity. In response to one or more of these battery parameters exceeding a threshold, the computer transitions itself to a lower power consumption mode. In so doing, the potential for the battery to shut itself off due to being over-extended (e.g., over current) is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Lih Chern, Lee W. Atkinson, David J. DeLisle, Richard S. Lin, Dallas M. Barlow
  • Patent number: 6694451
    Abstract: A computer system supports suspend operations to save power. The suspend operation maintains power to the system memory to enable a quick recovery from the suspend mode. To insure the accuracy of the data in system memory, a copy of the data is backed up to non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, prior to entering the suspend mode. In addition, a signature value representing blocks or pages of memory also is saved with the data. When normal operation resumes, data in system memory is validated by calculating a new signature for each data block or page, and comparing it with the save signature values. If the signatures match, the data is assumed to be valid. If the values do not match, a restore operation proceeds to load the back up copy to that block of system memory. The algorithm may be run immediately upon resuming operation, or may run in the background when the CPU is idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee W. Atkinson