Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Pratt

Thomas L. Pratt 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: 10656833
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20180356985
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 10067676
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20180210655
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9927975
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20180039414
    Abstract: A multi-mode hybrid memory drive comprises a bulk memory device and a removable cache memory device. A controller of the bulk memory device may be configured to operate the bulk memory device in either a stand-alone mode or a hybrid mode responsive to detecting the removable cache memory device being coupled with a cache port of the bulk memory device. A method of operating a multi-mode hybrid drive may also comprise monitoring a cache port of a bulk memory device to determine a presence of a removable cache memory device, operating the bulk memory device as a stand-alone drive responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is not present, and operating the bulk memory device as a hybrid drive using the removable cache memory device as a data cache responsive to determining the removable cache memory device is present. Additional hybrid memory drives and computer systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9652054
    Abstract: An interactive device includes a first sensor, a first button, an accelerometer, a processor, and a transmitter. The first sensor is configured to receive coordinate information from a coordinate projection of a projector. The first button is configured to transmit an erase signal when the first button is pressed. The accelerometer is configured to provide angle information for the interactive device. The processor is in communication with the first sensor, with the first button, and with the accelerometer. The processor configured to receive the coordinate information from the first sensor, to receive the erase signal from the first button, to receive the angle information from the accelerometer, and to generate erase information based on the coordinate information, the erase signal, and the angle information. The transmitter is in communication with the processor, and is configured to transmit a delete request including the erase information received from the processor to the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Samuel Nicklaus D'Alessio, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 9274994
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a docking station that supports bi-directional high speed data, high bandwidth display, and power to a computing device utilizing a standard connector on the computing device are described. This includes a standard connector on the computing device including a standard digital display connector having a first set of two lanes and a second set of two lanes, a USB host that provides USB signals that enable bi-directional high speed data, a digital display source that provides digital display signals that enable high bandwidth display and couples digital display signals to the digital display connector on the second set of lanes, a multiplexor that receives signals from the USB host, receives signals from the digital display source, and couples the USB signals to the digital display connector on the first set of lanes, and a power subsystem that receives power via the digital display connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Capezza, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20140176513
    Abstract: An interactive device includes a first sensor, a first button, an accelerometer, a processor, and a transmitter. The first sensor is configured to receive coordinate information from a coordinate projection of a projector. The first button is configured to transmit an erase signal when the first button is pressed. The accelerometer is configured to provide angle information for the interactive device. The processor is in communication with the first sensor, with the first button, and with the accelerometer. The processor configured to receive the coordinate information from the first sensor, to receive the erase signal from the first button, to receive the angle information from the accelerometer, and to generate erase information based on the coordinate information, the erase signal, and the angle information. The transmitter is in communication with the processor, and is configured to transmit a delete request including the erase information received from the processor to the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Samuel Nicklaus D'Alessio, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8607359
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for authenticating a removable data storage device (RDSD) by using a trusted information module (TIM) to control access to data files stored on the RDSD. A security information input receiver receives identity verification factors from a user and provides the identity verification factors to the TIM for processing. In some embodiments of the invention, the TIM uses identity verification factors in cryptographic operation to authenticate the user, the RDSD and the information processing system to each other. The TIM then performs similar operations with the contents of one or more authorization files to control access and usage of the data files stored on the RDSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Ajay Agarwal, Winston Bumpus, William A. Curtis
  • Patent number: 8549619
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for authenticating a removable data storage device (RDSD) by implementing a removable trusted information module (TIM) comprising a non-volatile storage medium operable to securely store passwords, digital keys, digital certificates and other security credentials (“security credentials”). An RDSD enclosure comprising a disk storage drive, one or more interfaces, one or more connectors, and a TIM is implemented to be connected, disconnected and reconnected to a plurality of predetermined information handling systems. The RDSD is authenticated by the TIM initiating comparison and cryptographic operations between its contents and the contents of authentication files comprising the RDSD. Once the RDSD has been authenticated, the TIM performs similar operations to authorize access and usage of its contents by the information handling system. Other cryptographic operations are performed to determine whether the integrity of data files has been compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Winston Bumpus, Ajay Agarwal, William A. Curtis, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8264929
    Abstract: An optical medium associated with a first type of optical drive laser, such as a blue laser, embeds identification information readable by a second type of optical drive laser, such as a red laser associated with DVD media or an IR laser associated with CD media, in order to reduce the time used by the optical drive to recognize media. An attempt to read the embedded identification information by the second laser that succeeds provides the optical drive with the information to proceed with use of the optical medium using the first laser. An attempt to read the embedded identification information that fails provides the optical drive with the opportunity to detect whether the optical medium is associated with the second laser so that a single spindle kick of the optical medium by the optical drive determines whether the optical medium is associated with either of two types of lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Dirk Erickson, Ed Beeman, Thomas L. Pratt, Christiaan Steenbergen, Charles Robert Weirauch
  • Patent number: 8266354
    Abstract: Zoned initialization of a solid state drive is provided. A solid state memory device includes a controller for controlling storage and retrieval of data to and from the device. A set of solid state memory components electrically coupled to the controller. The set is electrically divided into a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone is at least partially initialized independent from the second zone. An interface is coupled between the controller and the set of solid state memory components to facilitate transfer of data between the set of solid state memory components and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Munir M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 8151135
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated with traditional approaches to data and program storage on an information handling system are provided. A method may include determining if a primary storage resource has a failure. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource does not have a failure: booting from a first operating system stored on the primary storage resource, monitoring data stored to the primary storage resource to identify data to be copied to a persistent storage resource, and copying the identified data to the persistent storage resource. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource has a failure: booting from a second operating system stored on the persistent storage resource, and via the second operating system, providing access to the copied identified data copied to the persistent storage resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christopher A. Spencer, Munif M. Farhan, Sharon Lyn Hanson
  • Publication number: 20110264951
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing problems and disadvantages associated with traditional approaches to data and program storage on an information handling system are provided. A method may include determining if a primary storage resource has a failure. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource does not have a failure: booting from a first operating system stored on the primary storage resource, monitoring data stored to the primary storage resource to identify data to be copied to a persistent storage resource, and copying the identified data to the persistent storage resource. The method may further include, in response to determining that the storage resource has a failure: booting from a second operating system stored on the persistent storage resource, and via the second operating system, providing access to the copied identified data copied to the persistent storage resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christopher A. Spencer, Munif M. Farhan, Sharon Lyn Hanson
  • Patent number: 7969827
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for testing a removable storage media drive device are disclosed. According to teachings of the present disclosure, a simulated storage media may be disposed within a removable storage media drive device. In the event removable storage media is not present in the drive device when testing of the device is desired, the simulated storage media may be substituted for at least purposes of testing the operability of one or more device components. In one embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of an annular ring of CD-ROM material. In a further embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of a hologram designed to mimic one or more removable storage media characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christiaan Steenbergen, David M. Pereira
  • Publication number: 20100332740
    Abstract: Zoned initialization of a solid state drive is provided. A solid state memory device includes a controller for controlling storage and retrieval of data to and from the device. A set of solid state memory components electrically coupled to the controller. The set is electrically divided into a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone is at least partially initialized independent from the second zone. An interface is coupled between the controller and the set of solid state memory components to facilitate transfer of data between the set of solid state memory components and the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Munir M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 7861168
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for visually communicating disk storage meta information comprising a removable data storage device (RDSD). An RDSD enclosure comprising a disk storage drive, input/output interface, one or more connectors, a storage information module (SIM), a power storage device, and a display is implemented to be connected, disconnected and reconnected to a plurality of predetermined information handling systems. The RDSD is connected to a predetermined information handling system and the SIM gathers information from a plurality of disk information files comprising the RDSD. Once gathered, this information is visually communicated via the SIM to a display comprising the RDSD. When connected to, and powered by, an information handling system, the displayed information is dynamically updated as the operational status of the RDSD changes, but becomes static when RDSD is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Winston Bumpus, Ajay Agarwal, William A. Curtis, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 7774525
    Abstract: Zoned initialization of a solid state drive is provided. A solid state memory device includes a controller for controlling storage and retrieval of data to and from the device. A set of solid state memory components electrically coupled to the controller. The set is electrically divided into a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone is at least partially initialized independent from the second zone. An interface is coupled between the controller and the set of solid state memory components to facilitate transfer of data between the set of solid state memory components and the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Munif M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
  • Patent number: 7733754
    Abstract: An optical disc drive reads identification information from an optical disc inserted in the drive in a label orientation having a label side presented to the optical disc drive laser by reading codes marked at the opposing storage side in a transparent region or marked on the label side oriented to be read from the storage side. The identification information is used to determine the ability and authority of the optical disc to have a label written on the label surface. For instance, label authorization is determined from authorization information embedded on the storage side of the optical disc when the optical disc is in a storage orientation and the label authorization is saved on an associated information handling system with reference to the identification information to allow authorization to be determined when the optical disc is in the label orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt