Stephen J Higham

US Patent:

7086879, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Oct 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/975967

Inventors:

Stephen J Higham - Houston TX, US
Michael R. Durham - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H01R 13/44

US Classification:

439140, 439137, 439159

Abstract:

A connector assembly includes first and second sockets disposed on opposite sides of a housing and defining first and second insertion paths, respectively, for receiving a plug. A sliding keep-out member has first and second blocking surfaces. The keep-out member can move back and forth through the housing between first and second positions. In the first position, the first blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the first insertion path, but the second blocking surface clears the second insertion path. In the second position, the second blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the second insertion path, but the first blocking surface clears the first insertion path. Thus the connector assembly may receive plugs in either the first or the second socket, but not in both sockets simultaneously.

US Patent:

7183775, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Nov 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/702357

Inventors:

Michael R. Durham - Tomball TX, US
Stephen J. Higham - Houston TX, US
Mark D. Tupa - Cypress TX, US
Jim Paikattu - Missour City TX, US

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01R 31/02
G01R 31/04

US Classification:

324537, 324538, 324761

Abstract:

Disclosed are systems and methods for determining when a heat sink is installed. In one embodiment, a system comprises an electrically-conductive heat sink retainer clip that is adapted to maintain contact between a heat sink and a heat-producing component, the retainer clip further being adapted to electrically connect to ground, and a heat sink detection circuit adapted to provide voltage to the retainer clip, the heat sink detection circuit being configured to provide a logic value that indicates one of presence or absence of a heat sink.

US Patent:

7264489, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Oct 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/976036

Inventors:

Stephen J Higham - Houston TX, US
Juan M. Perez - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H01R 13/44

US Classification:

439137, 439139, 361609

Abstract:

A connector assembly for an electronic device saves space and cost. It includes first and second sockets defining first and second insertion paths for receiving mating plugs. A pivoting keep-out member has first and second blocking surfaces and can be pivoted between first and second positions. In the first position, the first blocking member blocks at least a portion of the first insertion path, but the second blocking member clears the second insertion path. In the second position, the second blocking member blocks at least a portion of the second insertion path, but the first blocking member clears the first insertion path. Thus the connector assembly may receive a plug in either the first or the second socket, but not in both simultaneously.

US Patent:

20060212627, Sep 21, 2006

Filed:

Mar 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/080888

Inventors:

Michael Durham - Tomball TX, US
Louis Hobson - Tomball TX, US
Gregory Ziarnik - Houston TX, US
Stephen Higham - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 13/00

US Classification:

710100000

Abstract:

Systems, devices, methodologies, and other embodiments associated with serial and parallel ports are described. One example system embodiment includes a device for providing serial and parallel ports in a computer. The example device can include a bracket configured to be secured to an expansion slot of the computer where a serial port and a parallel port are mounted to the bracket. The device can further include a serial port cable having a first end connected to the serial port and a second end including a serial port receptacle. The device can further include a parallel port cable having a first end connected to the parallel port and a second end including a parallel port receptacle. The serial port receptacle and the parallel port receptacle can be configured to be operably connected to a motherboard of the computer.

US Patent:

20080043425, Feb 21, 2008

Filed:

Aug 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/506331

Inventors:

Justin Richard Hebert - Spring TX, US
Stephen J. Higham - Houston TX, US
Daniel G. Parsons - Magnolia TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 1/20

US Classification:

361687

Abstract:

Various technologies for cooling a computer system are described. A computer system includes an enclosure having a number of vents distributed across different portions of the enclosure to provide different thermal pathways to transfer heat to air surrounding the computer system. The computer system is configured to be operable under different orientations. The enclosure is designed such that when the computer system is operating under a particular orientation, then at least one or more of the thermal pathways is able to transfer heat to air surrounding the computing system. Also, a processor and optionally a chipset reside within an interior region of the enclosure. A first cooling assembly is thermally coupled to the processor to cool the processor. Optionally, a second cooling assembly is thermally coupled to the chipset to cool the chipset.

US Patent:

20110298584, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/793856

Inventors:

Kent Biggs - Tomball TX, US
Michael A. Provencher - Cypress TX, US
Stephen J. Higham - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 7/04

US Classification:

340 573

Abstract:

Disclosed embodiments relate to a method for opening a cash safe secured with a circuit. For example, the method may comprise receiving a key by a circuit connected to a locking mechanism for securing a cash safe closed and retrieving, by the circuit, a stored key. The method may further comprise comparing, by the circuit, the received key to the stored key, determining, by the circuit, whether to release the cash safe based on the comparison, and sending, by the circuit, a signal to release the locking mechanism securing the cash safe closed if determined to release the cash safe.

US Patent:

20130288491, Oct 31, 2013

Filed:

Apr 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/459502

Inventors:

Gregory P. Ziarnik - Houston TX, US
Stephen J. Higham - Houston TX, US
Michael R. Durham - Tomball TX, US

International Classification:

H01R 29/00

US Classification:

439 51

Abstract:

Embodiments herein relate to disablement of a connection between a battery and a connection module. In an embodiment, a connection between the battery and a connection module may be disabled if the connection module is drawing current from the battery or if a monitored signal transitions from a high logic level to the low logic level. The connection module is to draw the current or pull the signal down to a low logic level in response to one or more components related to the device becoming exposed or an enclosure related to the device being breached or opened.

US Patent:

20130290740, Oct 31, 2013

Filed:

Apr 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/459481

Inventors:

Gregory P. Ziarnik - Houston TX, US
Michael R. Durham - Tomball TX, US
Stephen J. Higham - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 1/26

US Classification:

713300

Abstract:

Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining a setting at a component. An output to be powered by a low power state power rail can output a value. The component is to be powered by an auxiliary power rail and determines the setting based on the value at auxiliary power good.