HP Assigned Six Patents

Storage device data encryption using binary large object
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, has been assigned a patent (8,417,967) developed by Joseph E. Foster, Robert C. Elliott, Houston, TX, and Jeffrey A. Plank, Cypress, TX, for a "storage device data encryption using a binary large object (BLOB)."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for storage device data encryption. One method includes encrypting data on a storage device with a key and then transmitting the key to a cryptographic module that encrypts the key to form a BLOB. The BLOB is transmitted to an array controller that is coupled to the storage device which stores the BLOB."

The patent application was filed on April 2, 2008 (12/935,715).

Providing block data access for OS
using solid-state memory
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, has been assigned a patent (8,407,396) developed by Arad Rostampour, Fort Collins, CO, for "providing block data access for an OS using solid-state memory."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Block data access is provided for an OS by allocating a portion of solid-state memory of a data processing arrangement for use as a block storage device. A block device interface is created that provides access to the portion of solid-state memory via firmware of the data processing arrangement. The block device interface emulates an electromechanical data-storage device. The block device interface is presented to the OS at a boot-time of the OS and the block device interface is accessed using a block device driver of the OS during the boot-time of the OS. The block device driver emulates the electromechanical data-storage device to the OS."

The patent application was filed on July 30, 2004 (10/903,986).

Configurable control of storage device visual indicators
in server computer system
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, has been assigned a patent (8,427,285) developed by Larry E. Wilson, Tomball, TX, Masud M. Reza, and Hank Dao, Cypress, TX, for a "configurable control of storage device visual indicators in a server computer system."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A server computer system includes a set of visual indicators for representing status of one or more storage devices that are connected to one or more nodes of the server system. Control circuitry has at least first and second bus interfaces and is configured to set the state of the visual indicators responsive to signals received through the bus interfaces, and to operate in at least first and second configurable modes. In the first mode, both of the first and the second bus interfaces communicate with a single node. In the second mode, the first bus interface communicates with a first node and the second bus interface communicates with a second node."

The patent application was filed on April 29, 2010 (12/770,207).

Synchronization of virtual storage system
and actual storage system
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, as been assigned a patent (8,438,346) developed by Stephen Gold, Fort Collins, CO, for a "synchronization of a virtual storage system and an actual storage system."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A virtual storage system includes a storage subsystem having virtual storage devices to emulate physical storage devices of an actual storage system. The virtual storage system has a controller to detect a status change of a particular physical storage device in the actual storage system. The status change includes at least one of loading of the particular physical storage device and ejecting of the particular physical storage device. In response to detecting the status change of the particular physical storage device, the controller performs synchronization between the virtual storage system and the actual storage system by updating a state of a corresponding virtual storage device in the virtual storage system."

Symbiotic storage devices
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, has been assigned a patent (8,402,284) developed by Fred C. Thomas, Fort Collins, CO, Anthony J. Hernandez, Westminster, CO, and John M. Agosta, Fort Collins, CO, for "symbiotic storage devices."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system is provided, the system having a first storage device and a second storage device. A symbiotic relationship is established between the first and second storage devices to selectively store backup digital content for each other."

The patent application was filed on April 30, 2007 (11/742,564).

Optical storage medium with optically detectable marks
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP, Houston, TX, has been assigned a patent (8,416,667) developed by Charles R. Weiraugh, Loveland, CO, for an "optical storage medium with optically detectable marks."

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Optically detectable marks readable by a wide range of optical systems are included on an optical storage medium. Among other uses, the marks may be used to determine the type of the optical storage medium in an optical device capable of reading multiple types of optical storage media."

The patent application was filed on Sept. 20, 2012 (13/623,529).