Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Uban
Thomas W. Uban 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: 8356296Abstract: A method and system for resetting a network device. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for upgrading and/or reloading software for a network device with minimal disruption. The method begins by separating operations associated with layer two of an International Standardization Organization Open Systems Interconnect (ISO/OSI) reference model from other layers in the ISO/OSI reference model in a network device. Then, the software operations in layer two of the network device are reset. The software operations are reset while maintaining continuity for a communication session between the network device and other network devices coupled together through a network. Thereafter, for minimal disruption, execution of the software operations is recovered at layer two before continuity of the communication session s terminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Welder, Ratheesh Krishna Vadhyar, Sudhir Rao, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 7814481Abstract: A method and system for resetting a network device. Specifically, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed for upgrading and/or reloading software for a network device with minimal disruption. The method begins by separating operations associated with layer two of an International Standardization Organization Open Systems Interconnect (ISO/OSI) reference model from other layers in the ISO/OSI reference model in a network device. Then, the software operations in layer two of the network device are reset. The software operations are reset while maintaining continuity for a communication session between the network device and other network devices coupled together through a network. Thereafter, for minimal disruption, execution of the software operations is recovered at layer two before continuity of the communication session s terminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Thomas Welder, Ratheesh Krishna Vadhyar, Sudhir Rao, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 7383541Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing interoperation of a first execution image of a first version and a second execution image of a second version. A compatibility matrix specifies whether the versions are compatible, base-level compatible, or incompatible. In one embodiment, the compatibility matrix may comprise a sparse table that stores a compatibility indicator for all permutations of a plurality of versions of a network operating system. As part of initialization of a system that includes the first execution image and second execution image, version information for the execution images is determined. An entry in the compatibility matrix corresponding to the versions is identified. The execution images are operated in a fully synchronized state when the identified entry of the compatibility matrix specifies that the versions are either compatible or base-level compatible. Individual components of the execution images interoperate according to the results of individual session negotiations.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Donald E. Banks, Thomas W. Uban, Timothy P. Donahue, Denis H. Leclerc
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Patent number: 6199861Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily updatable, or alternately, retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a cabinet, a playfield, a panel, an electronics system, and a video display. The playfield is mounted in the cabinet with the panel mounted to the cabinet and overlaying at least a portion of the playfield. The video display is mounted generally above the cabinet and is disposed to project video images onto the panel for viewing by the player. The electronics system includes a control unit and a plurality of input/output elements which are mounted to the playfield. The control unit, which includes a controller and memory for storing game instructions and video images, is coupled to the plurality of input/output elements. The controller executes the game instructions to cause the video images to be displayed upon the video display.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: Bradley A. Hume, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 6155565Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a cabinet, a playfield, a panel, an electronics system, and a video display. The playfield is mounted in the cabinet with the panel mounted to the cabinet and overlaying at least a portion of the playfield. The video display is mounted generally above the cabinet and is disposed to project video images onto the panel for viewing by the player. The electronics system includes a control unit and a plurality of input/output elements which are mounted to the playfield. The control unit, which includes a controller and memory for storing game instructions and video images, is coupled to the plurality of input/output elements. The controller executes the game instructions to cause the video images to be displayed upon the video display.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: George A. Gomez, Charles R. Bleich, Bradley D. Cornell, Andrew W. Eloff, Bradley A. Hume, John R. Krutsch, James M. L. Shird, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 6113097Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a playfield mounted to a cabinet. Unlike previous pinball machines, electrical wires and their associated "playfield-side" connectors extending from input/output elements mounted to the playfield are limited in movement to a region generally beneath and in close proximity to the playfield. This allows the playfield to be more easily handled than prior playfields, which had long dangling electrical wires and connectors which could be easily tripped over or severed. Additionally, the plurality of playfield-side connectors are configured for easy installation and integration with corresponding "cabinet-side" connectors.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: John R. Krutsch, James M. L. Shird, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 6036189Abstract: A game which comprises a plurality of play devices and a panel for prohibiting access of a player to the plurality of play devices. The panel includes at least two optically distinct portions. A first optically distinct portion is substantially transparent for viewing at least one of the play devices and a second optically distinct portion is partially transparent for viewing at least another of the plurality of the play devices and partially reflective for reflecting a virtual image to be viewed by the player. The second optically distinct portion having a higher reflectivity than the first optically distinct portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: George A. Gomez, Patrick M. Lawlor, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 6036188Abstract: An amusement game which comprises a playfield having a game piece and a plurality of play features, and an apparatus for projecting a changeable virtual image in association with the playfield.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Williams Electronic Games, Inc.Inventors: George A. Gomez, Patrick Lawlor, Thomas W. Uban
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Patent number: 5890715Abstract: A pinball machine which can be electrically linked to other pinball machines to allow the machines to communicate. Features on the pinball machines are synchronized to make gameplay more attractive to players. Cooperative or competitive gameplay can be provided between the pinball machines, but achievement of goals on the two machines is synchronized to maintain similar gameplay on both machines at any particular time.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: George A. Gomez, Thomas W. Uban, Thomas M. Kopera
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Patent number: 5806851Abstract: An interactive play feature for a pinball game includes a shooting position on an inclined playfield and a target spaced apart from the shooting position. A shooting mechanism is responsive to input from a player for propelling a game ball from the shooting position toward the target. The game ball normally follows a path of travel from the shooting position to the target when propelled by the shooting mechanism. A blocking member is movable to a blocking position in response to the game ball reaching a desired position, wherein the blocking member obstructs the path of travel of the game ball to prevent the game ball from reaching the target.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Williams Electronics Games, Inc.Inventors: George Gomez, Thomas M. Kopera, Thomas W. Uban