Patrick L Gibbons

Address:

1610 Redstone Mnr Dr, Spring, TX 77379

VIN:

1J4GA59157L148376

Make:

JEEP

Model:

WRANGLER UNLIMITED

Year:

2007

US Patent:

6467038, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Mar 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/267547

Inventors:

Mark A. Piwonka - Tomball TX
Patrick L. Gibbons - Magnolia TX

Assignee:

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

713 1, 713100, 710 10, 711170

Abstract:

A computer system that includes a system ROM with at least two sets of character strings, one set in English and at least one other set in a non-English language. Generally, each set of character strings includes characters, words and phrases that are translations of corresponding character strings in the other sets. In a preferred embodiment, the system ROM includes only two sets of character stringsâone English and the other non-English. The non-English set of character strings is included as part of a âlanguage moduleâ stored or flashed into the system ROM. The character strings preferably are used to provide information and instructions to a user during system setup. When setup is run, the computer system determines whether a valid international language module is included in the system ROM. If a valid language module is included, the user is prompted to select either English or whatever international language is provided in the language module. Based on the users selection for a language, additional information and instructions during setup are shown on the computers display in the language selected by the user.

US Patent:

7395434, Jul 1, 2008

Filed:

May 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/136245

Inventors:

Mark A. Piwonka - Tomball TX, US
Mark W. Shutt - Cypress TX, US
Kevin K. Wong - Houston TX, US
Patrick L. Gibbons - Magnolia TX, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

H04L 9/00
G06F 13/24
G06F 13/32
G06F 11/00

US Classification:

713183, 710260, 710266, 711164, 713 2

Abstract:

A computer includes a processor, an input device and a read only memory (“ROM”). One or more passwords are flashed in the ROM in encoded form. The encoding process may include any well-known encryption or hash process. The password may include a power-on password usable to change the operating state of the computer and/or an administrator password. Such configuration data preferably also is stored on the ROM in encoded form. The encoded nature of the passwords makes it difficult for an unauthorized entity to gain access to the usable form of the passwords. Further, by storing the passwords and configuration in ROM, such as the computer's main system ROM, it is possible to control write access to the ROM because a computer's ROM can generally only be flashed using SMI code which operates outside the control of the computer's operating system and requires entry of a correct password.

US Patent:

7681023, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836574

Inventors:

Robert J. Volentine - Houston TX, US
Mark A. Piwonka - Tomball TX, US
Patrick L. Gibbons - Magnolia TX, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G06F 9/00
G06F 15/177
G06F 12/06
G06F 13/00
G06F 13/28

US Classification:

713 1, 713 2, 713100, 711 5, 711115, 711157

Abstract:

A method according to the invention ensures optimal memory configuration in a computer: A determination is made whether performance can be improved by rearranging the DIMMs that are installed in the computer. If so, then a user of the computer is notified that the DIMMs can be rearranged to improve performance.

US Patent:

8112637, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Jul 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/179227

Inventors:

Jason Spottswood - Houston TX, US
Mark A. Piwonka - Tomball TX, US
Patrick L. Gibbons - Magnolia TX, US
Scott B. Marcak - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G06F 21/00

US Classification:

713193, 713189, 713194, 726 2, 235382

Abstract:

There is provided a system and method for programming a data storage device with a password. Specifically, there is provided a method comprising initiating a password programming routine for a data storage device, and programming the data storage device with the password associated with an external storage medium, wherein the data storage device is configured to condition access to the data stored on the data storage device based on the password.

US Patent:

20060020844, Jan 26, 2006

Filed:

Jul 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/895962

Inventors:

Patrick Gibbons - Magnolia TX, US
Chris Pepper - Tomball TX, US
Paul Broyles - Cypress TX, US
Mark Piwonka - Tomball TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

714002000

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention are directed to recovering custom BIOS settings in a computer having a system ROM, a first non-volatile memory and a second non-volatile memory, comprising: storing custom default BIOS settings in the first memory, wherein custom default BIOS settings comprise at least the custom BIOS settings; and storing current BIOS settings in the second memory, wherein the current BIOS settings comprise at least a copy of the default BIOS settings, wherein an executing BIOS accesses the second memory and not the first memory.

US Patent:

20060095805, May 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/977388

Inventors:

Paul Broyles - Cypress TX, US
Patrick Gibbons - Magnolia TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 1/32

US Classification:

713323000

Abstract:

Date/time windows may be defined to indicate periods during which a computing device should not enter a power conservation mode such as a sleep mode. If the sleep mode is requested while the device is operating, a determination may be made whether the current date/time falls within any of the windows. If the current date/time falls within any of the windows, then the request for sleep mode may be denied or suppressed and the device may continue to operate normally. Otherwise, the device may enter the sleep mode.

US Patent:

20070118658, May 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/286554

Inventors:

Paul Broyles - Houston TX, US
Patrick Gibbons - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 15/16

US Classification:

709227000

Abstract:

In one embodiment a computer system, comprises a processor, a basic input/output system (BIOS) including logic instructions which, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to present, in a user interface, one or more devices coupled to a computer system and one or more management alert formats applicable to one or more devices, receive a selection signal from the user interface identifying one of the management alert formats presented in the user interface, and configure one or more devices coupled to the computing system with the identified management alert format.

US Patent:

62438093, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

Apr 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/070823

Inventors:

Patrick L. Gibbons - Magnolia TX
Paul J. Broyles - Cypress TX

Assignee:

Compaq Computer Corporation - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

713 1

Abstract:

A computer system provides for flashing a non-volatile memory image to a non-volatile memory and reading data from a non-volatile memory independently of an operating system. An image buffer is allocated in a volatile memory of the computer system. If flashing a non-volatile memory image to the non-volatile memory is desired, the image buffer is loaded with a portion of the non-volatile memory image. BIOS interface code is then called to place an SMI event code into a memory and to generate a system management interrupt causing the computer system to enter a system management mode. SMI handler code examines the SMI event code and calls SMI service code. Next, the image buffer is located and the portion of the non-volatile memory in the image buffer is flashed to the non-volatile memory by the SMI service code. Locating the image buffer may include locating an image header defined within the volatile memory. The image header may include a password for providing access to the non-volatile memory.