Patents by Inventor Rich Karstens

Rich Karstens 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: 8150461
    Abstract: A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson, David Kammer
  • Patent number: 8065444
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. The computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device via a communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted to alert a notification handler, and compliant peripheral class is determined. The voltage on a device may sense pin of the communications port for this determination. If the interrupt is indicative of the compliant peripheral class and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and an inquiry is sent and a response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time period, an identification notification message is posted based on the response including information for classifying the peripheral device, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification notification message when the software handler receives it. Thus, no time-critical interrupt response requirement is imposed for its successful operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Publication number: 20100323680
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on an electronic device regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: PALMSOURCE, INC.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7853730
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. The computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device via a communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted to alert a notification handler, and compliant peripheral class is determined. The voltage on a device may sense pin of the communications port for this determination. If the interrupt is indicative of the compliant peripheral class and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and an inquiry is sent and a response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time period, an identification notification message is posted based on the response including information for classifying the peripheral device, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification notification message when the software handler receives it. Thus, no time-critical interrupt response requirement is imposed for its successful operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Publication number: 20100257285
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. The computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device via a communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted to alert a notification handler, and compliant peripheral class is determined. The voltage on a device may sense pin of the communications port for this determination. If the interrupt is indicative of the compliant peripheral class and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and an inquiry is sent and a response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time period, an identification notification message is posted based on the response including information for classifying the peripheral device, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification notification message when the software handler receives it. Thus, no time-critical interrupt response requirement is imposed for its successful operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Patent number: 7787873
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on an electronic device regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: PalmSource, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7757011
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device coupled to a computer system communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted alerting a notification handler running on the system. It is determined whether the interrupt is indicates peripheral class compliance. In one embodiment, communications port device sense pin voltage is determinative. If the interrupt indicates peripheral class compliance and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and inquiry sent to the peripheral device via the open port. The computer system then waits for response from the peripheral device. If response is received within a predetermined time, identification is posted based on the response, including peripheral device classification information, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification message when received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Palm Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Publication number: 20090209244
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on an electronic device regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: PALMSOURCE, INC.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7526283
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on an electronic device regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: PalmSource, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7506083
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. The computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device via a communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted to alert a notification handler, and compliant peripheral class is determined. The voltage on a device may sense pin of the communications port for this determination. If the interrupt is indicative of the compliant peripheral class and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and an inquiry is sent and a response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time period, an identification notification message is posted based on the response including information for classifying the peripheral device, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification notification message when the software handler receives it. Thus, no time-critical interrupt response requirement is imposed for its successful operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Publication number: 20080032738
    Abstract: Techniques to create a portable wireless network are described. A mobile computing device may comprise a first transceiver to communicate with a fixed wireless device, and a second transceiver to communicate with multiple wireless devices. The mobile computing device may also include a network access management module to manage communications between each wireless device and the fixed wireless device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Monty Boyer, Gavin Peacock, Douglas Anderson, Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson, Chris Robertson, David Kammer, Kenneth Comstock, Yoon Wong, Jason Hertzberg, Steven Lemke
  • Publication number: 20070271400
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. The computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device via a communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted to alert a notification handler, and compliant peripheral class is determined. The voltage on a device may sense pin of the communications port for this determination. If the interrupt is indicative of the compliant peripheral class and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and an inquiry is sent and a response is received. If a response is received within a predetermined time period, an identification notification message is posted based on the response including information for classifying the peripheral device, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification notification message when the software handler receives it. Thus, no time-critical interrupt response requirement is imposed for its successful operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bod Ebert
  • Patent number: 7242963
    Abstract: A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson, David Kammer
  • Publication number: 20060252465
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on a device (e.g. a portable computer system) regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked). In one embodiment, the background task running under the operating system monitors an interrupt line and controls the serial port connected to a phone chipset/module. The background task also senses any of the device's buttons and controls any ringer, vibrator or LEDs of the device's hardware. In one embodiment, if the graphical user interface is not blocked then one or more phone related displays can automatically be displayed on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 7111090
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device coupled to a computer system communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted alerting a notification handler running on the system. It is determined whether the interrupt is indicates peripheral class compliance. In one embodiment, communications port device sense pin voltage is determinative. If the interrupt indicates peripheral class compliance and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and inquiry sent to the peripheral device via the open port. The computer system then waits for response from the peripheral device. If response is received within a predetermined time, identification is posted based on the response, including peripheral device classification information, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification message when received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Patent number: 7076275
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic delivery of a phone call on a device (e.g. a portable computer system) regardless of whether other tasks are running on the operating system. A separate background task (“thread”), independent of the operating system, enables telephony functionality without regard to the mode of a graphical user interface. The background task is always active and functions to respond to an incoming call even if the user is in a graphical user interface window that requires some input from the user (e.g. the graphical user interface is blocked). In one embodiment, the background task running under the operating system monitors an interrupt line and controls the serial port connected to a phone chipset/module. The background task also senses any of the device's buttons and controls any ringer, vibrator or LEDs of the device's hardware. In one embodiment, if the graphical user interface is not blocked then one or more phone related displays can automatically be displayed on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: PalmSource, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 6745047
    Abstract: A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2) that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1) that is externally available for connection to a second computer system. A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: palmOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Rich Karstens, Ryan Robertson, David Kammer
  • Patent number: 6694428
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device coupled to a computer system communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted alerting a notification handler running on the system. It is determined whether the interrupt is indicates peripheral class compliance. In one embodiment, communications port device sense pin voltage is determinative. If the interrupt indicates peripheral class compliance and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and inquiry sent to the peripheral device via the open port. The computer system then waits for response from the peripheral device. If response is received within a predetermined time, identification is posted based on the response, including peripheral device classification information, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification message when received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Palm One, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Publication number: 20020065964
    Abstract: Method and system for latency-independent peripheral device identification. In one embodiment, a computer system receives an interrupt from a peripheral device coupled to a computer system communications port. In response, an interrupt notification message is posted alerting a notification handler running on the system. It is determined whether the interrupt is indicates peripheral class compliance. In one embodiment, communications port device sense pin voltage is determinative. If the interrupt indicates peripheral class compliance and the communications port is inactive, the port is opened, and inquiry sent to the peripheral device via the open port. The computer system then waits for response from the peripheral device. If response is received within a predetermined time, identification is posted based on the response, including peripheral device classification information, so that a software handler registered with the operating system can handle the identification message when received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Steve Lemke, Rich Karstens, Bob Ebert
  • Patent number: 6363082
    Abstract: A technique for handling undesired data over a limited bandwidth channel. Specifically, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention operates within an electronic system or device (e.g., personal digital assistant) which can be coupled to a networking environment. An embodiment of the present invention allows higher levels of software operating within an electronic system to directly communicate with and determine the current operation of lower levels of software. As such, a higher level of software is advantageously able to perform appropriate actions in response to activities being performed by a lower level of software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Palm Computing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kammer, Steve Elliot, Rich Karstens