| AMERICAN MEGATRENDS, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120084420 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING COMPUTER NETWORK INTERFACES - According to one aspect, a computer-implemented method for managing at least one network interface of a computer system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of executing of a boot loader to initialize a dedicated network interface and a side-band network interface, determining if a boot loader priority setting designates a preference to use one of a detected dedicated network interface or side-band network interface, determining if preferred network interface is available for use, then passing the priority setting to an operating system to use for network communications during run time. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084408 | APPARATUS FOR REMOTELY CONFIGURING NETWORK INTERFACES IN A REMOTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - According to one aspect, a computer system for remotely configuring network interfaces of a host computer is disclosed, the system including a remote management computer and a managed host computer communicatively connected to the remote management computer over a communications link. The host computer includes a first network interface operable to communicatively connect to two or more server computers on two or more corresponding port numbers, and a second network interface operable to communicatively connect to two or more server computers on two or more corresponding port numbers. The system also includes a microcontroller operatively connected to the first network interface and the second network interface. The microcontroller has a programmable processor that is programmed to cause the host computer to perform functions that include receiving configuration data from the remote management computer over the communications link. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120072897 | MICROCONTROLLER FIRMWARE RUNNING FROM RAM AND APPLICATIONS OF THE SAME - In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system memory device for a computer system having a processor and a firmware. In one embodiment, the system memory device has a RAM, and a ROM with stored boot block data and operational code data, the boot block data containing computer-executable instructions for initializing the firmware, determining if the operational code data is valid, and if the operational code data is valid, copying the operational code data from the ROM to the RAM, where the operational code data contains computer-executable instructions for enabling a plurality of different interfaces to receive a firmware update from a firmware update provider, and if the operational code data is not valid, causing a particular one of the plurality of enabled interfaces to wait for an available firmware update and, when a firmware update is available, receiving the firmware update. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120017040 | Maintaining Data Consistency in Mirrored Cluster Storage Systems Using Bitmap Write-Intent Logging - Techniques for maintaining mirrored storage cluster data consistency can employ write-intent logging. The techniques can be scaled to any number of mirror nodes. The techniques can keep track of any outstanding I/Os, data in caches, and data that has gone out of sync between mirrored nodes due to link failures. The techniques can ensure that a power failure on any of the storage nodes does not result in inconsistent data among the storage nodes. The techniques may keep track of outstanding I/Os using a minimal memory foot-print and having a negligible impact on the I/O performance. Properly choosing the granularity of the system for tracking outstanding I/Os can result in a minimal amount of data requiring transfer to synchronize the mirror nodes. The capability to vary the granularity based on physical and logical parameters of the storage volumes may provide performance benefits. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20110283297 | SYSTEM MANAGEMENT INTERRUPT INTERFACE WRAPPER - In a personal computing system function calls, formatted in 16-bit format for a 16-bit interface to the firmware, are communicated through an operating system providing a System Management Interrupt (SMI) interface to the firmware. An SMI function call in SMI format is generated and sent to an SMI Interface Wrapper module between the operating system and the firmware. The SMI function call is received over the SMI interface at the SMI Interface Wrapper. In the SMI Interface Wrapper, function data from the SMI function call is extracted to provide function call data. A 16-bit function call with the function call data is generated by the SMI Interface Wrapper and passed to the firmware. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110283214 | CONFIGURING A MANAGEMENT MODULE THROUGH A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR USE IN A COMPUTER SYSTEM - A customization program for use in customizing a baseboard management controller used for monitoring operation of various computer system components is disclosed. A user interacts with the customization program to customize the baseboard management controller based on a configuration of components specified for the baseboard of the computer system. The customization program provides a user interface having a repository of icons and a design page. The icons represent various components that may be connected, either directly or indirectly, to the baseboard. The design page is used for constructing a model representing the specified configuration of components. As a user drags icons onto the design page, the model is updated to reflect selection of the components corresponding to these icons. Further, the customization program creates a configuration file that identifies and describes each of the selected components. The configuration file is loaded into the baseboard management controller to effectuate the aforementioned customization. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110283120 | AC-POWERED IN-WALL COMPUTING DEVICE WITH POWER-LINE NETWORKING CAPABILITIES - Apparatus and systems provide processing capabilities and power-line networking capabilities. An in-wall computing device has a power connector for receiving an Alternating Current (AC) signal from a power source and a housing that is sized for installation into an electrical wall box. The device may have internal data injection circuitry for injecting data into the AC signal or may have internal data receiving circuitry for extracting data from the AC signal. A system includes at least two in-wall computing devices, each having a power connector for receiving an AC signal from a power source. A first device has a user input interface and internal data injection circuitry for transmitting user input data to a second device over the AC signal. The second device has internal data receiving circuitry for extracting the user input data and controlling peripherals attached to peripheral ports of the device according to the data. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110283006 | COMMUNICATING WITH AN IN-BAND MANAGEMENT APPLICATION THROUGH AN OUT-OF-BAND COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL - A remote management controller is provided for use in conjunction with a managed host computer. The remote management controller exposes a virtual network interface controller, such as a driverless virtual USB network interface controller, to the managed host computer. Through the in-band connection provided by the virtual network interface controller, the remote management controller can communicate with in-band management applications executing on the managed host computer. The managed host computer can also access services executing on the remote management controller through the in-band communications interface. The remote management controller can also enable communication between the management client computer and in-band management applications executing on the managed host computer. The managed host computer can also access an out-of-band communications network between the remote management device and a management client computer. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110273108 | DATA CABLE POWERED LIGHT FIXTURE - A light fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. The LED lights in the light fixture are sufficiently bright to be used for illumination and are powered by a voltage derived from power delivered via the data cable. The light fixture may be used in conjunction with a building automation system. The light provided by the LED lights may be modified based on control signals received via the data cable. Modifications may include changes to the perceived brightness and/or color of the light. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110271125 | ETHERNET POWERED COMPUTING DEVICE AND SYSTEM - Apparatus and systems provide processing capabilities while utilizing power received via an Ethernet. A computing device has an Ethernet connector for receiving power and data, internal power supply circuitry for extracting power from the Ethernet connector, and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) for receiving the power. A housing may encompass the components of the computing device and be configured for installation in an electrical wall box. The housing may include a display or connectors for peripherals. A system includes at least two computing devices. Each device has an Ethernet connector for receiving power and communicating with other devices and are installed within a housing within an electrical wall box. One device has a display for receiving user input instructions for transmittal to another device, while another device has a peripheral connector for controlling a peripheral according to the instructions. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110188196 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVABLY MOUNTING HARD DISK DRIVES - A system and apparatus are described for removably mounting one or more hard disk drives within a computer system. According to one embodiment, the system includes a disk drive carrier cage configured to receive a disk drive backplane and up to eight pair of disk drive carrier rails. The disk drive carrier cage is sized for insertion into a drive bay having the dimensions of two optical mass storage devices compatible with a 5.25 inch form factor. The system also includes a disk drive backplane for receiving up to eight hard disk drives, disk drive carriers for holding the hard disk drives, and disk drive carrier rails mountable within the disk drive carrier cage for slidably receiving the disk drive carriers. The disk drive carriers and disk drive carrier rails are translucent thereby permitting light emanating from the backplane to be viewed at the front of the cage. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110125941 | METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR PROVIDING ENCLOSURE MANAGEMENT SERVICES UTILIZING MULTIPLE INTERFACES AND PROTOCOLS - A method and integrated circuit for providing enclosure management services compatible with a multitude of physical interfaces and protocols for exchanging enclosure management data between an HBA and an enclosure management backplane is provided. According to one method, two or more interfaces utilized for exchanging enclosure management data may be monitored to determine whether one of the interfaces is actively being utilized by an HBA to transmit enclosure management data. If one of the interfaces is identified as being active, a determination is then made as to which of a plurality of protocols for transferring enclosure management data is being utilized on the active interface. In particular, a determination may be made as to whether a protocol defined by one HBA manufacturer is being utilized or whether another protocol defined by another HBA manufacturer is being utilized. Alternatively, a determination may be made as to whether one of a multitude of different protocols defined by the same manufacturer is being utilized. Once the interface and protocol have been identified, enclosure management data received on the active interface is decoded utilizing the identified protocol. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110109806 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY TERMINATING A VIDEO SIGNAL BASED ON THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF A TERMINATING DEVICE - A system and apparatus are provided for selectively terminating an analog video signal depending on whether or not a terminating device is present. A conditional terminator receives an analog video signal from a video input and terminates the video signal in the absence of a terminating device and does not terminate the video signal when a terminating device is connected to the analog video signal. A conditional terminator may comprise a resistor and transistor connecting the video signal to ground when a ground signal from a terminating device is not present and disconnecting the signal from ground as a result of the presence of a ground signal from a connected terminating device. The conditional termination may occur in a video input device or alternatively in a video cable connector. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110066773 | REDIRECTING INPUT AND OUTPUT FOR MULTIPLE COMPUTERS - Apparatus, methods, and systems provide for remote management of a set of local computers by transferring screen frames produced by the local computer for viewing at a remote computer. A redirection module captures and transmits video signals from a local computer through over a network, such as the Internet, to a remote computer where the remote computer produces a display that contains the screen frames being transferred. The module is configured for use with and installation within a keyboard, video, and mouse switch configured for receiving the module. The redirection module is further configured for use with and installation on a server-blade to allow remote management of the server-blade. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110055533 | SYSTEM MANAGEMENT INTERRUPT INTERFACE WRAPPER - In a personal computing system function calls, formatted in 16-bit format for a 16-bit interface to the firmware, are communicated through an operating system providing a System Management Interrupt (SMI) interface to the firmware. An SMI function call in SMI format is generated and sent to an SMI Interface Wrapper module between the operating system and the firmware. The SMI function call is received over the SMI interface at the SMI Interface Wrapper. In the SMI Interface Wrapper, function data from the SMI function call is extracted to provide function call data. A 16-bit function call with the function call data is generated by the SMI Interface Wrapper and passed to the firmware. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110040904 | REMOTELY CONTROLLABLE SWITCH AND TESTING METHODS USING SAME - Apparatus, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for remotely controlling the connection between a host computer and a multitude of connected devices. One apparatus described herein includes a multiplexer that has a host port for connection to a host computer, device ports for connection to the devices, and control lines. The multiplexer is operative to connect a device port to the host port based upon the status of the control lines. The apparatus further includes a controller connected to the multiplexer. The controller has an input interface and is operative to receive control data on the input interface that identifies a device port on the apparatus that should be connected to the host port. In response to receiving such control data, the controller is operative to place signals on the control lines that cause the multiplexer to connect the identified device port to the host port. The device port that is connected to the host port can be remotely selected by transmitting the appropriate data to the input interface of the controller. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110026217 | COMPUTER SYSTEM EXPANSION DEVICE ADAPTABLE FOR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL USE - Systems and apparatus for providing supplemental functionality to a computer system with an expansion card adaptable for both internal and external coupling to the computer system. An expansion card has a bracket for internally coupling to a host computer and a housing for external coupling to a host computer. The expansion card may receive power from the host computer via an edge connector when internally coupled and through a power adapter via a power port when externally coupled. The expansion card may further receive data from the host computer via the edge connector when internally coupled and through an external bus when externally coupled. When externally coupled, the expansion card is mounted within a housing that may be mounted to an outside surface of a computer rack to preserve space within the rack. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110015918 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A COMPUTER MANAGEMENT DEVICE - Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for enabling communication with a computer management device. According to a method one or more vendor specific commands for communicating with a management device are defined according to a first communication standard. The one or more vendor specific commands are then transmitted to the management device over a communication link conforming to a second communication standard. A device conforming to the second communication standard may be emulated on the communication link. If vendor specific commands are received by the management device that are not intended for the emulated device, the commands may be used for communicating with the management device. | 01-20-2011 |
