Patents by Inventor Mark S. Tracy

Mark S. Tracy 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: 9024546
    Abstract: An illuminated latch apparatus is provided. The illuminated latch apparatus can include a latch member 100 with at least one surface 110 having a channel 120 formed therein. A light guide 200 having a first end 210 and a second end 220 can be at least partially disposed within the channel 120. A light source 310 can be disposed proximate the first end 210 of the light guide 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Earl W. Moore
  • Patent number: 9022592
    Abstract: A computer system is described herein. An embodiment of the computer system comprises a first portion comprising a keyboard and a second portion comprising a display. A light source is affixed to the computer, wherein the light source is maintainable in at least a first position and a second position. When the light source is in the first position, light emitted by the light source illuminates the keyboard, and when the light source is in the second position, light emitted by the light source illuminates a spatial region occupied by a user of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Earl W. Moore, Keith A. Sauer
  • Patent number: 8958204
    Abstract: In some embodiments, computing device includes an outer housing having a bottom surface, and a leakage current dissipation device mounted to the bottom surface, the leakage current dissipation device being configured to dissipate leakage current generated by the computing device into a surface on which the computing device is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lev, Earl W. Moore, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8797744
    Abstract: A device mounting system is provided. The device 720 can include a plurality of device mounting posts 730, 740. The system can further include a transition member 100 including an transition mounting feature 150 and at least one receiver 140 adapted to accommodate a first portion of the device mounting features 730. The system can also include a backing member 100 comprising at least one receiver 140 adapted to accommodate the remaining portion of the device mounting features 740 and a transition mounting receiver 240 adapted to accommodate, the transition mounting feature 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David W. Cawthon, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8717729
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device includes a circuit board having a heat-generating component and a mechanical shut-off switch configured to cut power to the heat-generating component when a temperature within the computing device rises above a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Keith A. Sauer, Jeffrey A. Lev
  • Patent number: 8704487
    Abstract: A power supply support system comprises a battery pack comprising a variably positionable support arm configured to support an electronic device in a plurality of different viewing orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Jonathan R. Harris, Paul J. Doczy
  • Patent number: 8583946
    Abstract: A computer comprises a power supply that provides operating power for the computer and a connector on the computer through which an external device can be coupled to the computer. The power supply powers an auxiliary power rail even when the computer is otherwise off. The auxiliary power rail is provided to the connector to thereby provide power to the external device even when the computer is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Paul J. Doczy, Jeffrey A. Lev
  • Patent number: 8576566
    Abstract: Carrier device for placement of thermal interface materials. At least some embodiments are systems including a first electrical component that defines a first surface at a first elevation relative to an underlying structure, a second electrical component that defines a second surface at a second elevation relative to the underlying structure, a metallic member configured to conduct heat from the electrical components, and a carrier between the electrical components and the metallic member. The carrier includes a third and fourth surface configured to mate with the first and second surfaces, respectively, a first aperture through the third surface, and a second aperture through the fourth surface. The system further includes a first thermal interface material coupled between the first electrical component and the metallic member through the first aperture, and a second thermal interface material coupled between the second electrical component and the metallic member through the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8526179
    Abstract: A laptop computer user thermal isolation apparatus is provided for inhibiting the transfer of waste heat from internal heat generating components to a user. The thermal isolation apparatus includes a casing substantially enclosing the heat generating components, the casing including at least one panel having a sealed enclosed cavity disposed between the heat generating components and an outer surface of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Britt C. Ashcraft, Jeffrey A. Lev, Paul N. Walker
  • Patent number: 8519857
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a fan in an electronic system are disclosed. One example method includes obtaining a control setting of the fan and current speed of the fan. The example method further includes determining a fan speed threshold associated with the obtained control setting. The example method further includes comparing the fan speed threshold to the current speed. The example method further includes generating an alert based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven S. Homer, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark H. Ruch, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8520393
    Abstract: Heat dissipation apparatus for dissipating heat generated by a heat-generating component mounted to a circuit board. In one embodiment, the heat dissipation apparatus includes a thermally-conductive heat sink adapted to be placed in contact with the heat-generating component, a bracket adapted to hold the heat sink in place relative to the heat-generating component, and a single coil spring mounted to the bracket adapted to urge the heat sink into contact with the heat-generating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven S. Homer, Dustin L. Hoffman, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy, Luis C. Armendariz, Mark H. Ruch
  • Patent number: 8456827
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a computer having a base and first and second hard disk drives enclosed in the base. The second hard disk drive is stacked on the first hard disk drive and is removable from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Paul J. Doczy
  • Patent number: 8456818
    Abstract: A wireless card module comprising a bezel assembly comprising at least one bezel member couplable to a wireless card, the bezel member configured to couple the wireless card to an external antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Paul J. Doczy, Jonathan R. Harris
  • Patent number: 8432675
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer display includes a display screen, an outer housing that surrounds the display screen, and a light integrated into the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Lev, Paul J. Doczy, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8432676
    Abstract: A display for a notebook computer can include a display panel and a frame configured to house the display panel. The frame can have a one-piece construction from a rear surface of the frame to a front surface of the frame. A method of making a display for a notebook computer is also provided. The method can include the steps of providing a frame and inserting a display panel into the frame. The frame can have a one-piece construction from a rear surface of the frame to a front surface of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Earl W. Moore, Steven S. Homer, Jeffrey A. Lev, Paul J. Doczy
  • Patent number: 8228239
    Abstract: A heat-dissipating wireless communication system for a computer device comprises an antenna configured for wireless communications, the antenna configured to dissipate heat generated by the computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Isaac Lagnado, Timothy Neill, Mark S. Tracy, Jeffrey A. Lev, Walter G. Fry
  • Patent number: 8221152
    Abstract: A cable management system comprises an electronic device having a display member movably coupled to a base member, and a printed circuit board (PCB) interconnect configured to electrically couple at least one cable received by the interconnect from a device in the display member with at least one cable received by the interconnect from a device in the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Paul J. Doczy, Jonathan R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20120134098
    Abstract: A computing device and method have a thermal module (60, 161, 460) in a bay (54, 354) for a component so as to occupy space otherwise occupied by the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Steven S. Homer, Keith A. Sauer, David W. Cawthon, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy, Earl W. Moore
  • Publication number: 20120127669
    Abstract: A device mounting system is provided. The device 720 can include a plurality of device mounting posts 730, 740. The system can further include a transition member 100 including an transition mounting feature 150 and at least one receiver 140 adapted to accommodate a first portion of the device mounting features 730. The system can also include a backing member 100 comprising at least one receiver 140 adapted to accommodate the remaining portion of the device mounting features 740 and a transition mounting receiver 240 adapted to accommodate, the transition mounting feature 150.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: David W Cawthon, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy
  • Patent number: 8185681
    Abstract: A docking station for a computing device can include an interface for electrically connecting the docking station to a computing device. The interface may supply power from a power supply. The docking station can include a surface for attaching a pin, wherein the location of the pin prevents a computing device from electrically connecting to the docking station if the computing device is not compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Bart M. Downing, Jeffrey A. Lev, Mark S. Tracy, David W. Cawthon