Patents by Inventor Tim L. Zhang
Tim L. Zhang 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: 7353416Abstract: A computer system that is configured to wirelessly access a local area network is further configured to search for the availability of wireless access points when the notebook computer is powered-off. A computer user activates this powered-off seek mode by pressing a button mounted on the outside cover of the computer. Activation of this button then activates a power supply within the notebook computer that powers a wireless communication module. The remaining power supplies in the computer system, however, are not turned on. Once the wireless communication or radio module is powered, a side-band signal to the normal universal serial bus communication activates the wireless access seek mode. Once a determination is made by the wireless communication module, that determination is passed to the user in the form of a light emitting diode which indicates the availability or nonavailability of a wireless access point in range.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Jeffrey C. Parker
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Patent number: 7103698Abstract: A docking station for an electronic device senses the position of the electronic device and provides an electronically-generated feedback signal to a user indicating whether the device and the docking station are in proper alignment for docking. The sensing may optionally be accomplished by electrical contacts or may optionally be accomplished by sensing a magnetic field using a Hall effect sensor. The feedback signal may be visible or may be audible. The feedback signal may provide instructions to the user indicating which direction one of the components should be moved to achieve proper alignment. A simple backstop arrangement may provide proper alignment in one axis, while the feedback signal provides information about the alignment in a second axis, preferably generally orthogonal to the first. The electronic device may be a laptop portable computer.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Tim L. Zhang, Robert C. Hurbanis, Jr., Dan Forlenza, Jeffrey Kevin Jeansonne
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Patent number: 6881098Abstract: A system comprises an electronic device, a peripheral component and a cable. The cable couples the peripheral component to the electronic device. The cable further comprises a connector end for connection to a standard port on the electronic device. The connector end has an abutment feature designed to prevent engagement of the connector end with certain ports.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Earl W. Moore, Tim L. Zhang
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Publication number: 20040205280Abstract: A computer peripheral comprises a bus interface to a communication bus, a first component-bus bridge communicable with the bus interface and a first endpoint adapted for communication with a first component, a second component-bus bridge different from the first component-bus bridge and communicable with the bus interface and a second endpoint adapted for communication with a second component, and an automatic endpoint selector responsive to a control signal and adapted to enable one and disable the other of the first and second component-bus bridges for sharing the bus interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Tim L. Zhang
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Publication number: 20040203275Abstract: A system comprises an electronic device, a peripheral component and a cable. The cable couples the peripheral component to the electronic device. The cable further comprises a connector end for connection to a standard port on the electronic device. The connector end has an abutment feature designed to prevent engagement of the connector end with certain ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Earl W. Moore, Tim L. Zhang
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Patent number: 6792480Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Craig L. Chaiken, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Daniel V. Forlenza, Mark J. Schlaffer
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Patent number: 6704811Abstract: Briefly, a computer system plays audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive during an audio CD play mode in which the computer system is not fully powered. An audio CD play controller of the computer system includes a means for detecting a plurality of audio CD play buttons for playing an audio CD in the CD-ROM drive and a means for communicating a plurality of audio CD play commands corresponding to the plurality of audio CD play buttons to the CD-ROM drive. The computer system enters the audio CD play mode without a full boot-up procedure and without loading an operating system.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: William E. Jacobs, Daniel V. Forlenza, James L. Mondshine, Tim L. Zhang, Gregory B. Memo, Kevin R. Frost, Lonnie J. Pope
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Patent number: 6654827Abstract: A portable computer system provides an operating system-independent digital data player. The computer system includes an operating system, a data storage medium to store a plurality of digitally encoded data files, and a digital data player to decode and play the plurality of digitally encoded data files in an operating system-independent digital data mode. The data storage medium may be any of the storage media for the computer system such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive or removable data storage. A mini-display panel of the portable computer system displays control status information associated with playing of the plurality of digitally encoded data files in the digital data mode. The computer system further includes a digital data button to place the portable computer system in the digital data mode and a plurality of digital data control buttons to select a plurality of digital data control commands for the plurality of digitally encoded data files.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Tim L. Zhang, Pablo J. Salazar, J. Luke Mondshine, Eric M. Kilponen
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Publication number: 20030023761Abstract: A computer system that is configured to wirelessly access a local area network is further configured to search for the availability of wireless access points when the notebook computer is powered-off. A computer user activates this powered-off seek mode by pressing a button mounted on the outside cover of the computer. Activation of this button then activates a power supply within the notebook computer that powers a wireless communication module. The remaining power supplies in the computer system, however, are not turned on. Once the wireless communication or radio module is powered, a side-band signal to the normal universal serial bus communication activates the wireless access seek mode. Once a determination is made by the wireless communication module, that determination is passed to the user in the form of a light emitting diode which indicates the availability or nonavailability of a wireless access point in range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: Jeffrey K. Jeansonne, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Jeffrey C. Parker
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Publication number: 20020178305Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Craig L. Chaiken, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Daniel V. Forlenza, Mark J. Schlaffer
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Publication number: 20020085835Abstract: A portable computer system provides an operating system-independent digital data player. The computer system includes an operating system, a data storage medium to store a plurality of digitally encoded data files, and a digital data player to decode and play the plurality of digitally encoded data files in an operating system-independent digital data mode. The data storage medium may be any of the storage media for the computer system such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive or removable data storage. A mini-display panel of the portable computer system displays control status information associated with playing of the plurality of digitally encoded data files in the digital data mode. The computer system further includes a digital data button to place the portable computer system in the digital data mode and a plurality of digital data control buttons to select a plurality of digital data control commands for the plurality of digitally encoded data files.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2000Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Tim L. Zhang, Pablo J. Salazar, J. Luke Mondshine, Eric M. Kilponen
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Patent number: 6393499Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Craig L. Chaiken, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Daniel V. Forlenza, Mark J. Schlaffer
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Publication number: 20020023182Abstract: Briefly, a computer system plays audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive during an audio CD play mode in which the computer system is not fully powered. An audio CD play controller of the computer system includes a means for detecting a plurality of audio CD play buttons for playing an audio CD in the CD-ROM drive and a means for communicating a plurality of audio CD play commands corresponding to the plurality of audio CD play buttons to the CD-ROM drive. The computer system enters the audio CD play mode without a full boot-up procedure and without loading an operating system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: William E. Jacobs, Daniel V. Forlenza, James L. Mondshine, Tim L. Zhang, Gregory B. Memo, Kevin R. Frost, Lonnie J. Pope
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Patent number: 6279056Abstract: A computer system is capable of playing audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive independent of the operating system by using an embedded CD-ROM drive application or a CD-ROM drive controller. When an audio CD mode switch of the computer system is in an “on” state and the main power switch of the computer is in an “off state” the computer system is in an audio CD mode. When the computer is placed in such an audio CD mode, the computer either loads the embedded CD application from a non-volatile memory region such as read-only-memory (ROM) region or enables the CD-ROM drive controller of the CD-ROM drive to receive a CD selection and transmit the selections to the CD-ROM drive.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Bill E. Jacobs, Dan V. Forlenza, James L. Mondshine, Tim L. Zhang, Greg B. Memo, Kevin R. Frost, Lonnie J. Pope
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Patent number: 6266714Abstract: A computer system is capable of playing audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive independent of the operating system by using an embedded CD-ROM drive application or a CD-ROM drive controller. When an audio CD mode switch of the computer system is in an “on” state and the main power switch of the computer is in an “off” state, the computer system is in an audio CD mode. When the computer is placed in such an audio CD mode, the computer either loads the embedded CD application from a non-volatile memory region such as read-only-memory (ROM) region or enables the CD-ROM drive controller of the CD-ROM drive to receive a CD selection and transmit the selections to the CD-ROM drive.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: William E. Jacobs, Daniel V. Forlenza, James L. Mondshine, Tim L. Zhang, Gregory B. Memo, Kevin R. Frost, Lonnie J. Pope
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Patent number: 6195713Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Craig L. Chaiken, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Daniel V. Forlenza, Mark J. Schlaffer
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Patent number: 6179432Abstract: An illuminated keyboard that may be used for providing inputs to a computer. The keyboard includes a keyboard base pan and a plurality of input keys having keycaps that may be pressed by a user. An electroluminescent lamp, in the form a flat panel, is sandwiched between the keyboard base pan and the keycaps to illuminate the keyboard during use.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Tim L. Zhang, Jeffrey K. Jeansonne
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Patent number: 6151008Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the brightness level of an LCD display. The brightness of a display having two light bulbs may be controlled by illuminating only one bulb to provide a relatively low brightness level or by illuminating both bulbs to provide a relatively high brightness level. This method and apparatus may be particularly useful in AC/DC powered devices, as a single bulb may be lit when the device is operating on DC power to conserve battery power, and both bulbs may be lit when the device is operating on AC power to provide enhanced brightness.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1997Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventor: Tim L. Zhang
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Patent number: 6116767Abstract: A computer system incorporating capabilities for displaying the audio disk track number when the computer system is playing an audio disk. The computer system determines if a disk is present in the disk drive. If a disk is present, the computer system determines if an audio disk is present in the disk drive. If so, the computer system then monitors the disk drive. When the audio disk is played by the disk drive, the computer system displays the audio disk track number. The computer system then periodically polls the disk drive to update the audio disk track number. The computer system displays a battery gauge status when the audio disk track number is not being displayed. The status display is visible when the portable computer is in either an open or closed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: Craig L. Chaiken, Tim L. Zhang, James L. Mondshine, Daniel V. Forlenza, Mark J. Schlaffer
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Patent number: 6006285Abstract: A computer system is capable of playing audio CDs in a CD-ROM drive independent of the operating system by using an embedded CD-ROM drive application or a CD-ROM drive controller. When an audio CD mode switch of the computer system is in an "on" state and the main power switch of the computer is in an "off" state, the computer system is in an audio CD mode. When the computer is placed in such an audio CD mode, the computer either loads the embedded CD application from a non-volatile memory region such as read-only-memory (ROM) region or enables the CD-ROM drive controller of the CD-ROM drive to receive a CD selection and transmit the selections to the CD-ROM drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: William E. Jacobs, Daniel V. Forlenza, James L. Mondshine, Tim L. Zhang, Gregory B. Memo, Kevin R. Frost, Lonnie J. Pope