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).
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Patent number: 10656833Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Publication number: 20180356985Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 10067676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Publication number: 20180210655Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 9927975Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Publication number: 20180039414Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 9652054Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Dell Products, LPInventors: Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Samuel Nicklaus D'Alessio, Thomas L. Pratt
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Method and system for using a standard connector to deliver combined display, data and power signals
Patent number: 9274994Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: Steve Capezza, Thomas L. Pratt -
Publication number: 20140176513Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Dell Products, LPInventors: Karthikeyan Krishnakumar, Samuel Nicklaus D'Alessio, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 8607359Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Ajay Agarwal, Winston Bumpus, William A. Curtis
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Patent number: 8549619Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Winston Bumpus, Ajay Agarwal, William A. Curtis, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 8264929Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Dirk Erickson, Ed Beeman, Thomas L. Pratt, Christiaan Steenbergen, Charles Robert Weirauch
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Patent number: 8266354Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Munir M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 8151135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christopher A. Spencer, Munif M. Farhan, Sharon Lyn Hanson
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Publication number: 20110264951Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christopher A. Spencer, Munif M. Farhan, Sharon Lyn Hanson
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Patent number: 7969827Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Thomas L. Pratt, Christiaan Steenbergen, David M. Pereira
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Publication number: 20100332740Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.Inventors: Munir M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 7861168Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 22, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Winston Bumpus, Ajay Agarwal, William A. Curtis, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 7774525Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventors: Munif M. Farhan, Thomas L. Pratt
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Patent number: 7733754Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 7, 2004Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Dell Products L.P.Inventor: Thomas L. Pratt