Thomas P Pratt

US Patent:

6591198, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/721565

Inventors:

Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G01H 1700

US Classification:

702 35, 702 56, 369 4432

Abstract:

A computer system that includes a processor, a device, and a microphone is provided. The microphone is configured to detect an ambient noise level. The processor is configured to cause a noise output of the device to be changed in response to the ambient noise level.

US Patent:

6917490, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Sep 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/260674

Inventors:

Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US
Raymond Farrell Dumbeck - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G11B005/596

US Classification:

360 7808, 360 75, 360 7801

Abstract:

An information handling system includes a processor and a disk drive coupled to receive information from the processor. The disk drive is configured to write the information to a first location on a platter. The disk drive is further configured to write the information to n locations on the platter such that a phase difference between successive locations is approximately (360 divided by n) degrees where n is an integer greater than or equal to two.

US Patent:

7159776, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Jan 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/029602

Inventors:

Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06K 7/10

US Classification:

235454

Abstract:

Multiple label writes to an optical medium label surface are aligned with each other by reference to a calibration band disposed on the label surface. On initial insertion of the optical medium into the optical drive, a label alignment module uses the optical head to detect the calibration band or, if no calibration band exists, to write a calibration band. The label alignment module analyzes the eccentricity error presented by the calibration band during rotation of the optical medium, such as the amplitude and phase of the error, and applies the error to the optical head to write label information in alignment with the calibration band.

US Patent:

7430154, Sep 30, 2008

Filed:

Aug 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/226934

Inventors:

Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US
Christiaan Steenbergen - Austin TX, US
David M. Pereira - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G11B 21/08

US Classification:

369 3027, 714 42

Abstract:

A method, system and apparatus for testing a removable storage media drive device are disclosed. According to teachings of the present disclosure, a simulated storage media may be disposed within a removable storage media drive device. In the event removable storage media is not present in the drive device when testing of the device is desired, the simulated storage media may be substituted for at least purposes of testing the operability of one or more device components. In one embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of an annular ring of CD-ROM material. In a further embodiment, the simulated storage media may be in the form of a hologram designed to mimic one or more removable storage media characteristics.

US Patent:

7596069, Sep 29, 2009

Filed:

Nov 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/722268

Inventors:

Christiaan Steenbergen - Austin TX, US
Ed Beeman - Fort Collins CO, US
Dirk Erickson - Austin TX, US
Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US
Charles Robert Weirauch - Loveland CO, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G11B 7/00

US Classification:

369 5923, 369 5322, 369 94, 369 521, 369 5321

Abstract:

Separate sets of optical medium identification information are embedded in separate aligned layers of the optical medium to allow an optical drive to initiate use of the optical medium with information from both layers. For instance, a first set of identification information is embedded in the data layer of the optical medium and a second set of identification information is embedded on the protective surface layer of the optical medium. The first and second sets of information align so that a mixed signal is provided when the optical medium is initially inserted in the optical drive with the optical drive reading the separate sets of information while the read head is at a single location.

US Patent:

7733754, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Sep 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/935598

Inventors:

Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G11B 19/00
G11B 5/09

US Classification:

369 5321, 369 5324, 369 475

Abstract:

An optical disc drive reads identification information from an optical disc inserted in the drive in a label orientation having a label side presented to the optical disc drive laser by reading codes marked at the opposing storage side in a transparent region or marked on the label side oriented to be read from the storage side. The identification information is used to determine the ability and authority of the optical disc to have a label written on the label surface. For instance, label authorization is determined from authorization information embedded on the storage side of the optical disc when the optical disc is in a storage orientation and the label authorization is saved on an associated information handling system with reference to the identification information to allow authorization to be determined when the optical disc is in the label orientation.

US Patent:

7774525, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Mar 13, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/685499

Inventors:

Munif M. Farhan - Round Rock TX, US
Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06F 3/00
G06F 13/12
G06F 12/00

US Classification:

710 74, 710 10, 711129, 711153, 711173

Abstract:

Zoned initialization of a solid state drive is provided. A solid state memory device includes a controller for controlling storage and retrieval of data to and from the device. A set of solid state memory components electrically coupled to the controller. The set is electrically divided into a first zone and a second zone, wherein the first zone is at least partially initialized independent from the second zone. An interface is coupled between the controller and the set of solid state memory components to facilitate transfer of data between the set of solid state memory components and the controller.

US Patent:

7861168, Dec 28, 2010

Filed:

Jan 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/625441

Inventors:

Winston Bumpus - Austin TX, US
Ajay Agarwal - Austin TX, US
William A. Curtis - Austin TX, US
Thomas L. Pratt - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

Dell Products L.P. - Round Rock TX

International Classification:

G06F 3/00

US Classification:

715700, 715764, 715771, 345173, 711114

Abstract:

A system and method is disclosed for visually communicating disk storage meta information comprising a removable data storage device (RDSD). An RDSD enclosure comprising a disk storage drive, input/output interface, one or more connectors, a storage information module (SIM), a power storage device, and a display is implemented to be connected, disconnected and reconnected to a plurality of predetermined information handling systems. The RDSD is connected to a predetermined information handling system and the SIM gathers information from a plurality of disk information files comprising the RDSD. Once gathered, this information is visually communicated via the SIM to a display comprising the RDSD. When connected to, and powered by, an information handling system, the displayed information is dynamically updated as the operational status of the RDSD changes, but becomes static when RDSD is disconnected. Mechanical switches or a touch sensitive screen are implemented to navigate static and dynamic disk information displayed on the RDSD display.