Gregory Johnson

Processor And Circuit Board Retaining Apparatus And Method

Application

#6353541 Mar 5, 2002

Filed

Oct 20, 1999

Inventor

Michael V. Leman (Eagle, ID) · Gregory P. Johnson (Boise, ID) · William M. Cresse (Daytona, FL) · Jacques Gagne (Los Altos, CA) · Philip Hartley (San Francisco, CA) · Ray Gradwohl (Saratoga, CA)

Appl. No.

09/422044

Assignee

Micron PC, LLC (Nampa, ID)

International Classification

H05K 500

U.S. Classification

361809, 361683, 361801, 361802, 361825, 361753, 439327, 439328, 211 4117

Abstract

The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a circuit board in a computer system. Some embodiments include single or multiple panels hinged to a chassis of the computer that are used as retaining structures. In operation, the retaining structures may be hinged down onto a circuit board cap that is in turn coupled to a central processing unit package that includes a circuit board. In this manner, the central processing unit or another component including a circuit board may be retained in a computer system.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A circuit board retaining apparatus for securing a circuit board relative to a connector in a chassis comprising: a circuit board cap coupled to the circuit board; and a retaining structure coupled to the chassis and engaged with said circuit board cap to secure the circuit board when said retaining structure is in a first position and disengaged from said circuit board cap when said retaining structure is in a second position. 2. The circuit board retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit board cap couples to one circuit board. 3. The circuit board retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit board cap couples to two circuit boards. 4. The circuit board retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit board cap includes a hook for hooking with a notch in the circuit board to couple with the circuit board. 5. The circuit board retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit board cap includes a first series of blades for engaging said retaining structure. 6. The circuit board retaining apparatus of claim 5 wherein said retaining structure includes a second series of blades for engaging the first series of blades of said circuit board cap. 7.

Remote Communications Server System

Application

#6359894 Mar 19, 2002

Filed

Dec 23, 1999

Inventor

Kevin Hong (Spring Lake Park, MN) · Bhat V Damodar (Bangalore, IN) · Sundararajan Narasimhan (Banglore, IN) · Dale W. Martenson (Mounds View, MN) · Raghu Sharma (North Oaks, MN) · Jeffrey P. Davis (Ham Lake, MN) · Gregory R. Johnson (New Brighton, MN)

Appl. No.

09/471776

Assignee

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. (Mounds View, MN)

International Classification

H04L 1228

U.S. Classification

370402, 370389, 709219

Abstract

A remote communications server system enables multiple remote users simultaneous access to a network. The system connects a plurality of on-line sessions across multiple communication lines to the network. A unique combination of multiple buses, multiple processors, and a segmented design creates a distributed processing communications system having high throughput without the stability problems associated with gigabit bus speeds. Furthermore, the system supports a mixture of communication links and allows the substitution of one service type for another without affecting the remaining communication links. The system is scalable in that segments can be added as needed and the number of lines handled by a segment can be increased.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable modules for converting between frames of remote user data and network data packets comprising: a modem support layer module for distributing an incoming frame of remote user data to one of plurality of protocol layers depending on protocol information in the frame; the plurality of protocol layer modules for removing control information from the incoming frame to create a incoming data packet and distributing the incoming data packet to a link support layer module; and the link support layer module for distributing the incoming data packet to one of a plurality of routing modules depending on an address in the incoming data packet, wherein each routing module creates an outgoing network data packet. 2. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of routing modules is coupled to a local area network gateway. 3. The computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein one of the plurality of routing modules is coupled to a wide area network gateway. 4.

System And Method For Automating The Assembly Of Data Storage Devices

Application

#6386471 May 14, 2002

Filed

Nov 20, 2000

Inventor

Joseph P. Keller (Wahpeton, ND) · Gregg C. Hagen (Wahpeton, ND) · Gregory D. Roberts (Breckenridge, MN) · Gregory H. Johnson (Oakdale, MN) · Michael W. Johnson (Cottage Grove, MN) · Bryan W. Noble (Afton, MN)

Appl. No.

09/716743

Assignee

Imation Corp. (Oakdale, MN)

International Classification

G11B 2304

U.S. Classification

242347, 403285, 220653

Abstract

System for releasably retaining portions of a data cartridge shell in an assembled configuration including at least one first boss tower on a first portion of the data cartridge shell having a receiving hole with an inner surface. At least one second boss tower on a second portion of the data cartridge shell including an outer surface is adapted to releasably engage with the receiving hole at a boss tower interface in the assembled configuration. A plurality of retention ribs and a plurality of guide ribs are located at the boss tower interface to releasably retain the first portion of the cartridge shell to the second portion.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A system for releasably retaining portions of a data cartridge shell in an assembled configuration comprising: at least one first boss tower on a first portion of the data cartridge shell comprising a receiving hole with an inner surface; at least one second boss tower on a second portion of the data cartridge shell comprising an outer surface adapted to releasably engage with the receiving hole at a boss tower interface in the assembled configuration; and a plurality of retention ribs and a plurality of guide ribs located at the boss tower interface when the first and second portions of the data cartridge shell are in the assembled configuration. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the retention ribs are located on the inner surface of the first boss tower. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the retention ribs are located on the outer surface of the second boss tower. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the guide ribs are located on the inner surface of the first boss tower. 5.

Automated Tightening Shoe

Application

#6467194 Oct 22, 2002

Filed

Sep 29, 2000

Inventor

Gregory G. Johnson (55407 Minneapolis, MN)

Appl. No.

09/675607

Assignee

Gregory G. Johnson (55407 Minneapolis, MN)

International Classification

A43C 1100

U.S. Classification

36 501, 361181

Abstract

An automated tightening shoe with crisscrossed laces and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces to tighten the shoe about a wearers foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearers foot.

Claim

It is claimed: 1. An automated tightening shoe, comprising: a. a shoe having a sole and an upper connected to said sole, said upper including a toe, a heel, a tongue having a fixed end adjacent to said toe and a free end spaced rearwardly from said toe, and a lacing pad straddling said tongue and having lace eyelets spaced along opposite sides thereof from adjacent to said fixed end of said tongue to adjacent to said free end of said tongue; b. a chamber in said sole adjacent to said heel, said chamber communicating with a passageway in said heel which extends from said sole to near the top of said heel; c. a tightening mechanism incorporated at the rear of said shoe, said tightening mechanism including an engagement lace which resides partly within said chamber in said sole and partly within said passageway in said heel, said engagement lace being movable in a tightening direction along said chamber in said sole and along said passageway in said heel; and, d. a pair of laces, each lace being anchored at one end to a respective lace eyelet nearest said fixed end of said tongue, then extending through alternate ones of said lace eyelets in crisscross fashion over said tongue, then passing through the material of said upper to within said chamber in said sole, and finally being operatively associated with said engagement lace within said chamber in said sole such that movement of said engagement lace in the tightening direction causes said laces to tighten about said tongue and thereby tighten said shoe. 2. The automated tightening shoe as defined in claim 1, wherein said engagement lace has first and second ends, wherein said pair of laces are joined to each other and to said first end of said engagement lace at an intersection point located within said chamber in said sole, and wherein said second end of said engagement lace extends out of said passageway in said heel for enabling grasping thereof to move said engagement lace in the tightening direction. 3.

System And Method For Shipping Items From A Distribution Facility

Application

#6505094 Jan 7, 2003

Filed

Mar 5, 2001

Inventor

Mark A. Pape (Austin, TX) · Branden Clark Bickley (Austin, TX) · Robert T. Mason (San Marcos, TX) · Robert F. Martin (Lago Vista, TX) · William B. Muir (Round Rock, TX) · Richard M. Williams (Austin, TX) · Gustavo Blum (Austin, TX) · Stefanie A. Vandorpe (Round Rock, TX) · James E. Pike (Austin, TX) · Sergio Botero (Austin, TX) · Gregory V. Johnson (Round Rock, TX) · Tracy A. Masson (Austin, TX) · Michael R. Rogers (Georgetown, TX) · Timothy J. Boswell (Lago Vista, TX) · Melissa S. Snyder (Austin, TX)

Appl. No.

09/800045

Assignee

Dell Products L.P. (Round Rock, TX)

International Classification

G06F 700

U.S. Classification

700217, 700216, 705 28

Abstract

A method for preparing items for shipment in a distribution facility with multiple pallet-build squares may include a step of identifying an available pallet-build square among the multiple pallet-build squares. An item may then be transported to an operator for the available pallet-build square. Item data from a scan of a barcode on the item may then be received, and in response, a display may be automatically updated to identify the available pallet for the operator.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A method, in a distribution facility with multiple pallet-build squares, for preparing items for shipment on a pallet, the method comprising: identifying an available pallet-build square among the multiple pallet-build squares; transporting an item to an operator for the available pallet-build square; receiving item data from a scan of a barcode on the item; and in response to receiving the item data, automatically updating a display to identify the available pallet for the operator. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transporting an item to an operator for the available pallet-build square is performed automatically, in response to identifying the available pallet-build square. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying all of the items to be loaded onto the available pallet; receiving an eject signal; and responding to the eject signal by ejecting the available pallet from the pallet-build square only if the item data and the pallet data indicate that all of the items have been loaded onto the pallet. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: placing the item on the available pallet; receiving pallet data from a scan of a barcode for the available pallet; and in response to receiving the pallet data, automatically updating a database to indicate that the item was placed on the available pallet. 5.

System And Method For Caching Ported Number Information

Application

#6560226 May 6, 2003

Filed

Feb 25, 1999

Inventor

Jason Patrick Torrey (Overland Park, KS) · Gregory Dean Johnson (Shawnee, KS)

Appl. No.

09/257320

Assignee

Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (Overland Park, KS)

International Classification

H04M 700

U.S. Classification

370360, 379220

Abstract

A system and method for caching local number portability (LNP) information comprises an LNP cache that can be located in a signaling processor. The LNP cache is a memory cache that contains the LNP information, such as the dialed number (DN) and the location routing number (LRN) for an associated DN. The signaling processor receives and processes call signaling. If the signaling processor determines that a DN may be assigned to a portable communication device, such as a portable signaling processor, then the signaling processor accesses the LNP cache to determine the LRN for the DN, if it exists. The LNP cache returns the LRN if a match is found for the DN and if the DN has a corresponding LRN. If a match is not found, the signaling processor can be configured to query an LNP service control point (SCP). Alternately, the LNP cache can be configured to include DNs that have a corresponding DN entry or a blank entry, but not an LRN entry, to signify that the DN is not ported.

Claim

What is claimed is: 1. A system for connecting a call having call signaling and user communications, the system comprising: a signaling processor adapted to receive the call signaling, to process the call signaling to determine a search is required to determine if a search criteria matches an LNP information element, to select the search criteria for the search, to select a connection for the user communications, and to transmit a control message identifying the selected connection; an LNP cache having LNP information and adapted to be searched using the search criteria to determine if the LNP information element exists in the LNP information, the search having a result; and a connection system adapted to receive the user communications and the control message and, in response to the control message, to connect the user communications over the designated connection. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the LNP cache is configured to have an entry with a dialed number and a corresponding entry with a location routing number. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the LNP cache is configured to have an entry with a dialed number and a corresponding entry with a number that is the same as the dialed number. 4.