Patents by Inventor Christian A. D'Souza

Christian A. D'Souza 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).

  • Patent number: 6457137
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for software configuration of a processor clock ratio. Boot code that the processor executes in response to a reset event correctly configures the clock ratio to a desired value, where the desired value can be set via a user interface. The processor then checks the clock ratio against a desired clock ratio value stored in a nonvolatile memory. If the clock ratio is the same as the desired clock ratio value, then the processor completes the boot of the processor. If the clock ratio is different from the desired value, then the processor writes the desired value into a latch connected to the on clock configuration input terminals of the processor and inhibits reset of the latch. The processor then generates another reset event. In this reset cycle, the processor will sense the desired clock ratio value driven onto the clock configuration input terminals by the latch and boot with the desired clock ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Craig G. Mitchell, Christian A. D'Souza, Michael P. Dempsey, Chandra S. Pandey
  • Patent number: 6438684
    Abstract: A system for shutting down and resetting an embedded system having a general purpose computing platform. A push button is provided for generating a push button reset signal to the shutdown and reset manager. The shutdown and reset manager receives the management reset signal and initiates a shutdown of the operating system. When the operating system has shutdown, the user presses the push button again. The second receipt of the push button reset signal initiates a hardware reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Craig G. Mitchell, Michael P. Dempsey, Christian A. D'Souza, Chandra S. Pandoy, Scot W. Salzman
  • Patent number: 6230181
    Abstract: A system for shutting down and resetting an embedded system having a general purpose computing platform. A shutdown management driver generates a management reset according to a predetermined set of shutdown conditions. The shutdown and reset manager receive the management reset signal and initiate a shutdown of the operating system. When the operating system has shutdown, the second receipt of the management reset signal initiates a hardware reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: 3COM Corporation
    Inventors: Craig G. Mitchell, Michael P. Dempsey, Christian A. D'Souza, Chandra S. Pandey, Scot W. Salzman
  • Patent number: 6137188
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for supplying power to multiple devices using a single voltage regulator. The present invention includes a comparator that compares the voltage identification codes from multiple devices in a system. If all the devices have the same value for the voltage identification code, then the comparator forwards the code to a voltage identification input of a programmable voltage regulator, which then outputs a power supply voltage at a level corresponding to the voltage identification code value of the devices. If any device present in the system has a different value for its voltage identification code, then the comparator outputs a predetermined value to the programmable voltage regulator that prevents the voltage regulator from outputting a power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Craig G. Mitchell, Christian A. D'Souza, Michael P. Dempsey, Chandra S. Pandey