Patents by Inventor John T. Spencer

John T. Spencer 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: 6738857
    Abstract: A computer system with various component modules with each of the modules interconnected with a single midplane board, thereby eliminating the need for ribbon cables to interconnect between the modules. One of the modules includes an embedded controller and associated data bus. An in-line connector is coupled in the data bus which receives either a jumper connector or interconnect connector. The interconnect connector intercepts the data bus from the embedded controller and transfers connection to a user added controller. The interconnect connector can operate in two modes, a single mode and a differential mode. The interconnect connector includes logic circuitry that determines the type of controller connected and places the interconnect connector in the appropriate mode. If the logic circuitry detects that a single-ended controller is connected to the interconnect connector, a quick switch, which is connected to one wire of the data bus, is closed, thereby grounding the one wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael C. Sanders, Stephen F. Contreras, John T. Spencer, Morrel O. Jones, III
  • Publication number: 20030041204
    Abstract: A computer system with various component modules with each of the modules interconnected with a single midplane board, thereby eliminating the need for ribbon cables to interconnect between the modules. One of the modules includes an embedded controller and associated data bus. An in-line connector is coupled in the data bus which receives either a jumper connector or interconnect connector. The interconnect connector intercepts the data bus from the embedded controller and transfers connection to a user added controller. The interconnect connector can operate in two modes, a single mode and a differential mode The interconnect connector includes logic circuitry that determines the type of controller connected and places the interconnect connector in the appropriate mode. If the logic circuitry detects that a single-ended controller is connected to the interconnect connector, a quick switch, which is connected to one wire of the data bus, is closed, thereby grounding the one wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Michael C. Sanders, Stephen F. Contreras, John T. Spencer, Morrel O. Jones
  • Patent number: 6449680
    Abstract: A computer system with various component modules with each of the modules interconnected with a single midplane board, thereby eliminating the need for ribbon cables to interconnect between the modules. One of the modules includes an embedded controller and associated data bus. An in-line connector is coupled in the data bus which receives either a jumper connector or interconnect connector. The interconnect connector intercepts the data bus from the embedded controller and transfers connection to a user added controller. The interconnect connector can operate in two modes, a single mode and a differential mode. The interconnect connector includes logic circuitry that determines the type of controller connected and places the interconnect connector in the appropriate mode. If the logic circuitry detects that a single-ended controller is connected to the interconnect connector, a quick switch, which is connected to one wire of the data bus, is closed, thereby grounding the one wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Sanders, Stephen F. Contreras, John T. Spencer, Morrel O. Jones, III