Patents by Inventor Michael R. Durham

Michael R. Durham 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: 8856560
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining a setting at a component. An output to be powered by a low power state power rail can output a value. The component is to be powered by an auxiliary power rail and determines the setting based on the value at auxiliary power good.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Ziarnik, Michael R. Durham, Stephen J. Higham
  • Publication number: 20140250327
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining whether power is supplied at a power level to a network powered device. A network connector can be used to provide power and communications to the network powered device. The network powered device can represent itself to power sourcing equipment as a device using power at the power level. An indicator indicates whether power is supplied at the power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Flynn, Robert C. Brooks, Michael R. Durham
  • Publication number: 20130290740
    Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining a setting at a component. An output to be powered by a low power state power rail can output a value. The component is to be powered by an auxiliary power rail and determines the setting based on the value at auxiliary power good.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory P. Ziarnik, Michael R. Durham, Stephen J. Higham
  • Publication number: 20130288491
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to disablement of a connection between a battery and a connection module. In an embodiment, a connection between the battery and a connection module may be disabled if the connection module is drawing current from the battery or if a monitored signal transitions from a high logic level to the low logic level. The connection module is to draw the current or pull the signal down to a low logic level in response to one or more components related to the device becoming exposed or an enclosure related to the device being breached or opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory P. Ziarnik, Stephen J. Higham, Michael R. Durham
  • Publication number: 20130246198
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes memory resources and one or more processing components coupled to the one or more memory resources. At least one of the memory resources stores a basic input/output system (BIOS). The one or more processing components are coupled to the memory resources to run a program for operating a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The program enables a user to provide an input to open a cash drawer. A controller circuit receives a signal from the BIOS when the user provides the input and generates a pulse signal having a predetermined duration to cause a voltage signal to be transmitted to a solenoid of the cash drawer. The voltage signal causes the solenoid to change states in order to open the cash drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Binh T. Truong, Nam Ngyuen, Larry W. Kunkel, Gregory P. Ziarnik, Michael R. Durham
  • Patent number: 8335077
    Abstract: A system contains a temperature sensitive device and a printed circuit board. The temperature sensitive device is coupled to the printed circuit board. An aperture is cut out of the printed circuit board between the temperature sensitive device and a heat generating device to act as an insulator for the temperature sensitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher N. Rijken, Mark D. Tupa, Michael R. Durham
  • Publication number: 20120123610
    Abstract: A computing system can include a monitor (150) to estimate a temperature of a storage device (120). The monitor estimates the temperature from an activity indicating signal of the storage device. A cooling device controller (155) can be connected to the monitor. The cooling device controller can control the output of a cooling device (115).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Mark D Tupa, Michael R. Durham, Christopher Rijken
  • Publication number: 20110083029
    Abstract: A first controller can provide system state information and a second controller can receive the system state information. The second controller can be programmed to control the state of a component. The state of the component can be based on information programmed in the second controller and the system state information. The component can include an off state and an operating state indicated by a signal from the second controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Mark D. Tupa, Michael R. Durham, Christopher Rijken, Louis B. Hobson, Joshua N. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20100290183
    Abstract: A system contains a temperature sensitive device and a printed circuit board. The temperature sensitive device is coupled to the printed circuit board. An aperture is cut out of the printed circuit board between the temperature sensitive device and a heat generating device to act as an insulator for the temperature sensitive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher N. Rijken, Mark D. Tupa, Michael R. Durham
  • Patent number: 7183775
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for determining when a heat sink is installed. In one embodiment, a system comprises an electrically-conductive heat sink retainer clip that is adapted to maintain contact between a heat sink and a heat-producing component, the retainer clip further being adapted to electrically connect to ground, and a heat sink detection circuit adapted to provide voltage to the retainer clip, the heat sink detection circuit being configured to provide a logic value that indicates one of presence or absence of a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael R. Durham, Stephen J. Higham, Mark D. Tupa, Jim Paikattu
  • Patent number: 7086879
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second sockets disposed on opposite sides of a housing and defining first and second insertion paths, respectively, for receiving a plug. A sliding keep-out member has first and second blocking surfaces. The keep-out member can move back and forth through the housing between first and second positions. In the first position, the first blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the first insertion path, but the second blocking surface clears the second insertion path. In the second position, the second blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the second insertion path, but the first blocking surface clears the first insertion path. Thus the connector assembly may receive plugs in either the first or the second socket, but not in both sockets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen J Higham, Michael R. Durham
  • Patent number: 7029310
    Abstract: In one embodiment there is disclosed a protective cover for a multi-pin electrical device socket. The socket, prior to having a device inserted therein, is covered with a cover having an inner surface facing the socket, a portion of the periphery of the inner surface of the cover contacting a frame having an open area surrounded by the frame structure. The inner surface of the cover has at least one protrusion thereon, with the protrusion adapted to contact an inserted electrical device thereby causing the cover to cease contacting at least one portion of the frame when the electrical device is installed in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Juan M. Perez, Stephen J. Higham, Michael R. Durham
  • Patent number: 6567868
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention has a combination of a detection circuit and executable software. The detection circuit is capable of detecting the removal and replacement of a computer system microprocessor and latching an indication that the microprocessor has been removed, even if that removal has taken place while the computer system is without power. Having latched an indication that the microprocessor has been removed and replaced, the detection circuit asserts appropriate signals to start the microprocessor in a safe mode. Once operating in a safe mode, an executable program polls the latched indication, and if the indication is that the CPU has been removed and replaced, the software is further adapted to prompt a computer system user for a new host bus to CPU core speed ratio and modify registors to indicate a new value, if necessary, that are subsequently used to start the CPU at the correct operational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robin T. Tran, Michael R. Durham, Mark A. Piwonka
  • Patent number: 6307738
    Abstract: A computer system which includes an electromagnetic hoodlock, and does not have any simple way to bypass the hood-lock The hoodlock consists of a spring-loaded solenoid, and is controlled by the system microprocessor. The system chassis may only be opened by a user with sufficient rights, after entering a password, or after an administrative command is sent over the computer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robin T. Tran, Christopher Simonich, Michael R. Durham, Lee B. Hinkle
  • Patent number: 6253319
    Abstract: A computer system is provided with a multifunction power switch. In addition to the normal function of turning the computer on and off, the power switch has the additional function of clearing CMOS memory. In one embodiment, pressing the power switch while the computer is connected to a power source turns the computer on and off, and when the computer is disconnected from the power source, the CMOS memory may be cleared by pressing and holding the power switch for a predetermined time delay, e.g. 10 seconds. As a precaution against malicious clearing of CMOS memory, activation of this feature may be disabled as long as the computer cover is closed. In this case, the computer cover would have to be at least partially removed before the power button is pressed and held to clear CMOS. An LED may be provided which illuminates to indicate the success of the CMOS clearing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robin T. Tran, Michael A. Wright, Michael R. Durham