Patents by Inventor William R. Duffy
William R. Duffy 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: 9274508Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: William R. Duffy, III, Phillip D. Jones, Michael K. Trivette, David T. Windell
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Patent number: 8917302Abstract: A method to display information using an information layer laminate comprising at least three color layers each comprising a different color by selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer to display portions of a second color layer, and selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer and one or more portions of a second color layer to display portions of a third color layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael J. Barton, William R. Duffy, III, Michael Kennedy Trivette, David Thomas Windell
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Patent number: 8462322Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William R. Duffy, III, Phillip D. Jones, Michael K. Trivette, David T. Windell
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Patent number: 7791893Abstract: Charging or recharging a capacitor powers a USB key. The capacitor is connected to the USB plug. Inserting the key in a powered device charges or recharges the capacitor. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to the USB plug and a rotatable generator electrically is connected to the capacitor. A sliding gear having teeth engages with complimentary teeth of the generator. A spring disposed at each end of the sliding gear to restrain the sliding movement of the gear. Movement of the sliding gear kinetically charges or recharges the capacitor. The USB key can include the capacitor alone or the kinetic arrangement or the combination of the capacitor and the kinetic arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: David F. Champion, William R. Duffy, III
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Patent number: 7701327Abstract: A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William R. Duffy, III, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
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Publication number: 20100085562Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: William R. Duffy, III, Phillip D. Jones, Michael K. Trivette, David T. Windell
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Publication number: 20090213149Abstract: A method to display information using an information layer laminate comprising at least three color layers each comprising a different color by selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer to display portions of a second color layer, and selectively removing one or more portions of a first color layer and one or more portions of a second color layer to display portions of a third color layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: MICHAEL J. BARTON, WILLIAM R. DUFFY, III, MICHAEL KENNEDY TRIVETTE, DAVID THOMAS WINDELL
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Publication number: 20090179577Abstract: A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: William R. Duffy, III, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
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Patent number: 7561060Abstract: Cable identification and computer system diagnostics are facilitated with electroluminescent technology. In one embodiment, a computer data cable includes an electroluminescent strand having a first wire with an electroluminescent coating and a second wire in contact with the inner wire. An AC voltage is applied between the inner and outer wire to selectively illuminate the electroluminescent strand in response to predetermined conditions, such as in response to the detection of a connection-related fault or in response to plugging in the data cable to a device port. Diagnostic techniques such as FMEA may be implemented in software for detecting connection faults and selectively illuminating the data cables in response.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: William R. Duffy, III, Tony Carl Sass
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Publication number: 20080220636Abstract: Charging or recharging a capacitor powers a USB key. The capacitor is connected to the USB plug. Inserting the key in a powered device charges or recharges the capacitor. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to the USB plug and a rotatable generator electrically is connected to the capacitor. A sliding gear having teeth engages with complimentary teeth of the generator. A spring disposed at each end of the sliding gear to restrain the sliding movement of the gear. Movement of the sliding gear kinetically charges or recharges the capacitor. The USB key can include the capacitor alone or the kinetic arrangement or the combination of the capacitor and the kinetic arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: David F. Champion, William R. Duffy
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Publication number: 20080115957Abstract: Cable identification and computer system diagnostics are facilitated with electroluminescent technology. In one embodiment, a computer data cable includes an electroluminescent strand having a first wire with an electroluminescent coating and a second wire in contact with the inner wire. An AC voltage is applied between the inner and outer wire to selectively illuminate the electroluminescent strand in response to predetermined conditions, such as in response to the detection of a connection-related fault or in response to plugging in the data cable to a device port. Diagnostic techniques such as FMEA may be implemented in software for detecting connection faults and selectively illuminating the data cables in response.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2006Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventors: William R. Duffy, Tony Carl Sass