Patents by Inventor John C. Linn

John C. Linn 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: 6151646
    Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station (12, 32, 58, 68, 76, 84, 90, 92, 94, 96) that can have its functionality reconfigured by a docked portable personal computer (10, 38, 62, 66, 74, 82). In at least one embodiment of the invention, the computer docking station is configured as a stand alone computer prior to docking with a portable computer, may have its functionality reconfigured when docked to the portable computer, and reconfigures itself to be a stand alone computer when undocked from the portable computer. In one embodiment of the invention, docking station resources are placed under the control of a docked portable computer. In another embodiment of the invention, docked portable computer resources are placed under the control of the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: LaVaughn F. Watts, John C. Linn
  • Patent number: 6023587
    Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station (12, 32, 58, 68, 76, 84, 90, 92, 94, 96) that can have its functionality reconfigured by a docked portable personal computer (10, 38, 62, 66, 74, 82). In at least one embodiment of the invention, the computer docking station is configured as a stand alone computer prior to docking with a portable computer, may have its functionality reconfigured when docked to the portable computer, and reconfigures itself to be a stand alone computer when undocked from the portable computer. In one embodiment of the invention, docking station resources are placed under the control of a docked portable computer. In another embodiment of the invention, docked portable computer resources are placed under the control of the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: LaVaughn F. Watts, Jr., John C. Linn
  • Patent number: 5918016
    Abstract: A method of configuring a mobile computer (H3) among different computer network configurations (N1, N2). In this method, the mobile computer is connected (18) to a first network medium in various steps. In one step, a network interface circuit (NIC) of the mobile computer is coupled to communicate with the first network medium. In another step, the mobile computer is configured to have an IP address allocated for the first network medium. Next, there is the step (20) of performing a program operation on the mobile computer to determine whether a dynamic configuration protocol is available on the first network medium. Another step performs a program operation to store an indicator in a storage resource of the mobile computer representing whether a dynamic configuration protocol is available on the first network medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason M. Brewer, John C. Linn, Keith L. Perrin, Robert E. Tonsing
  • Patent number: 4742520
    Abstract: A system for use in conjunction with the ALUs of computers, mini-computers, micro-computers and microprocessors wherein, upon a predetermined single command, the ALUs will be arranged to operate in a parity check mode or as a mask without otherwise disturbing the normal circuit operation of the ALUs utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles C. Hoac, John C. Linn
  • Patent number: 4176404
    Abstract: A magnetic bubble memory structure having an enhanced storage density is made possible by reducing the circuit period, that is the distance between bubbles, in the storage section of the device. This reduction of the circuit period is made possible by using a gap tolerant propagation element, e.g. asymmetrical chevrons. The bubble storage sections are structured such that the areas closest to the transfer gates have a larger circuit period than the remainder of the storage section. The bubble chip architecture utilizing this means of enhancing the storage density may be of the major-minor loop configuration or the block-replicate configuration. Bubble storage sections in the form of loop structures may have a folded loop or an h loop configuration as well as a closed loop configuration. The reduction in circuit period accomplishes enhancement of the storage density without reducing the bubble diameter and other minimum circuit features to achieve this goal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Magid Y. Dimyan, Wayne C. Hubbell, Christopher T. M. Chang, John C. Linn