Patents by Inventor Jimmy Dean Smith

Jimmy Dean Smith has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Expansion module including programmable chip selects
    Patent number: 6023735
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system and more particularly to a computer system which allows option controller cards for various input/output (I/O) devices to be added on the motherboard at minimum cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Packard Bell, NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Brian K. Straup, Terence Paul O'Brien, Mark Layne Herman
  • Programmably selectable addresses for expansion cards for a motherboard
    Patent number: 5999991
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system and more particularly to a computer system which allows option controller cards for various input/output (I/O) devices to be added on the motherboard at minimum cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Packard Bell NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Brian K. Straup, Terence Paul O'Brien, Mark Layne Herman
  • System for establishing a transfer mode between system controller and peripheral device
    Patent number: 5784642
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system and more particularly to a computer system which allows option controller cards for various input/output (I/O) devices to be added on the motherboard at minimum cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Packard Bell NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Brian K. Straup, Terence Paul O'Brien, Mark Layne Herman
  • Apparatus for selecting a user programmable address for an I/O device
    Patent number: 5748982
    Abstract: Manual insertion of hardware jumpers to configure I/O device selection and addressing is eliminated through the implementation of specialized hardware which allows for program control over several addressing paths. A register file is utilized within a programmable device to configure demultiplexers and multiplexers which map I/O address control line signals to set up various communication paths for address I/O exchanges. I/O configuration is entirely removed from add-on cards through the use of the programmable device. Accordingly, such add-on cards only require minimum circuitry, thus facilitating the use of miniature or baby cards as option cards which are much smaller than standard add-on cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Packard Bell NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Brian K. Straup, Terence Paul O'Brien, Mark Layne Herman, Terrence A. Hussey
  • Method and apparatus for reading data from a write only port
    Patent number: 5748922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to provide a write only register that is implemented with a low cost device yet provides the means whereby the register may be read, glitch free, using a predetermined procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Packard Bell NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Terence Paul O'Brien
  • Method and apparatus for preventing unauthorized access to peripheral devices
    Patent number: 5687379
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for providing programmable configuration protection of a programmable Input/Output device. By configuration protection, it is meant that the programming options of an I/O controller can be set in accordance to a given environment, and then by use of a programming controlled signal, prevent the changing of the programmed environment or remove those programmed options considered unsafe in the now secured environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Packard Bell NEC
    Inventors: Jimmy Dean Smith, Mark D. Nicol, Brian K. Straup, Terence Paul O'Brien, Michael P. Krau, Richard David Ball