Patents by Inventor Kevin C. McDonough

Kevin C. McDonough 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: 5522082
    Abstract: The present invention is a programmable data processing system and apparatus which operates as an independent microprocessor. The programmable data processing system of the present invention stores both general purpose and special purpose graphic instructions. The programmable data processing apparatus of the present invention has both types of instructions within its instruction set. This provision of a single processing apparatus for preforming both types of instructions enables a highly flexible solution to bit map graphics problems. This is because the program of the data processing apparatus may be altered to provide the most desirable graphics algorithm without loss of the general purpose calculation and program flow capability of a general purpose data processor. The data processor of the present invention may serve as a parallel processor for a host data processing system for primarily control of bit mapped graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl M. Guttag, Kevin C. McDonough, Sergio Maggi
  • Patent number: 4797808
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having on-chip macrocode and microcode storage. A macrocode word is fetched from an on-chip ROM and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then a sequence of microcode words is fetched from the microcode store based on this macrocode word. A check-code based on some function of all macrocode bits is stored in on-chip ROM upon manufacture. To test a device after fabrication is complete, a test program (resident in ROM or downloaded into on-chip RAM) is executed to address all bytes of macrocode and perform some cummulative function on it via the ALU to see if the same check-code is produced. If so, an output indicates a good unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bellay, Kevin C. McDonough, Michael W. Patrick
  • Patent number: 4723226
    Abstract: A video display system employs a memory arrangement for the video data which is sequentially accessed for serial read-out of the bit-mapped video information at a high clock rate, and also randomly accessed in parallel by a microcomputer for generating and updating the information to be displayed. Parallel access to the memory by the microcomputer can occur while the serial video data is being clocked out, so microcomputer I/O and video output conflict only a very minimum amount. Dynamic MOS RAMs with a serial register added provide this dual port memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, David S. Laffitte, John M. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4694391
    Abstract: A single-chip microprocessor device of the MOS/LSI type contains an ALU, several interal busses, a number of address/data registers, and an instruction register with associated control decode or microcontrol generator circuitry. The device communicates with external memory and peripherals by a bidirectional multiplexed address/data bus and a number of control lines. The ALU, registers and busses along with the control ROM are constructed in an interrelated layout whereby minimum space is needed on the chip. Like bits in all registers and the ALU are aligned and in a regular pattern. The busses are metal lines overlying each of the strips of ALU/register bits. Controls are polysilicon lines perpendicular to the busses and aligned with columns of the control ROM. The control ROM is an array of rows and columns of potential MOS transistors, compressed by eliminating column lines which contain no transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Karl M. Guttag, Kevin C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4651275
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having a combined on - chip read/write memory for macrocode and microcode storage. A macrocode word is fetched from the memory and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then a sequence of microcode words is fetched from the same memory based on this macrocode word. Both macrocode and microcode may be loaded into the combined memory from external to the chip, so the functions of the microcomputer may be changed for different tasks. The content of both microcode and macrocode, as well as the ratio of macrocode to microcode, can be varied by programming without any change in the circuitry of the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4580216
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having on-chip macrocode and microcode storage. In the normal single-chip operation mode, a macrocode word is fethched from on-chip ROM and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then a sequence of microcode words is fetched from the microcode store based on this macrocode word. In another mode, such as used for self-test employing a check-code, the device loads macrocode from external into on-chip RAM then executes from RAM to perform the desired routine, switching modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bellay, Kevin C. McDonough, Michael W. Patrick
  • Patent number: 4562435
    Abstract: A video display system employs a memory arrangement for the video data which is sequentially accessed for serial read-out of the bit-mapped video information at a high clock rate, and also randomly accessed in parallel by a microcomputer for generating and updating the information to be displayed. Parallel access to the memory by the microcomputer can occur while the serial video data is being clocked out, so microcomputer I/O and video output conflict only a very minimum amount. Dynamic MOS RAMs with a serial register added provide this dual port memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, David S. Laffitte, John M. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4532587
    Abstract: A digital processing system includes an external memory for the storage of program instructions for use with a separate processor that internally contains a memory for temporary storage, an arithmetic and logic means, a register set, control and timing circuitry, and two sets of data paths. The first set of data paths provide access to the external memory for transfer of instructions from the external memory to the processing unit. The second set of data paths provide for the internal routing of instructions data and addresses within the processor unit itself. The data structure for the first set of data paths is different than that for the second set of data paths, providing for an external data structure that is different than the internal data structure of the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Derek Roskell, John V. Schabowski, Karl M. Guttag, Kevin C. McDonough, Brian Shore, Thomas Preston
  • Patent number: 4528625
    Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device having separate on-chip program ROM and data RAM, with separate address and data paths for program and data. An external program address bus allows the alternative of off-chip program fetch in each instruction cycle, with the opcode returned by an external data bus. Data I/O instructions for access to peripherals or external data memory use two machine cycles so that the external ROM fetch is not distributed. A bus interchange module allows transfer between the separate internal program and data busses in special circumstances. The internal busses are 16-bit, while the ALU and accumulator are 32-bit. A multiplier circuit produces a single state 16.times.16 multiply function separate from the ALU, with 32-bit output to the ALU. One input to the ALU passes through a 0-to-15 bit shifter with sign extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, Surendar S. Magar
  • Patent number: 4514801
    Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device having separate on-chip program ROM and data RAM, with separate address and data paths for program and data; however, the accumulator in the data path may be used as a program address source for table-read and table-write, for example. An external program address bus allows off-chip program fetch in an expansion mode, with the opcode returned by an external data bus. A bus interchange module allows transfer between the separate internal program and data busses in special circumstances, such as accumulator addressing. The internal busses are 16-bit, while the ALU and accumulator are 32-bit. A multiplier circuit produces a single state 16.times.16 multiply function separate from the ALU, with 32-bit output to the ALU. One input to the ALU passes through a 0-to-15 bit shifter with sign extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward R. Caudel, Gary L. Swoboda, Surendar S. Magar, Kevin C. McDonough, Antony W. Leigh
  • Patent number: 4514805
    Abstract: A system for real-time digital signal processing employs a single-chip microcomputer device having separate on-chip program ROM and data RAM, with separate address and data paths for program and data; however, the accumulator in the data path may be used as a program address source for table look-up for accumulator addressing, for example. An external program address bus allows off-chip program fetch in an expansion mode, with the opcode returned by an external data bus. The on-chip program memory may be disabled and only off-chip memory used for program fetch in a systems emulator mode. A non-maskable interrupt procedure used in the emulator mode generates a vector address for the on-chip ROM in switching between memory expansion and emulator modes, using an overvoltage detector to signal this condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, Gary L. Swoboda, Surendar S. Magar
  • Patent number: 4495563
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address busses and registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having on-chip macrocode and microcode storage. A byte-wide macrocode word is fetched from the ROM and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then multiple-byte-wide microcode words are fetched from microcode store based on this macrocode word. Also, the microcode can be accessed one byte at a time for processing through the ALU via the data/address busses and registers, as if the microcode was data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4490783
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having on-chip macrocode and microcode storage. A macrocode word is fetched from an on-chip ROM and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then a sequence of microcode words is fetched from the microcode store based on this macrocode word. A check-code based on some function of all microcode bits, or all macrocode and microcode bits, is stored in on-chip ROM upon manufacture. To test a device after fabrication is complete, a test program (resident in ROM or downloaded into on-chip RAM) is executed to access all bytes of microcode (or both microcode and macrocode) and perform some cummulative function on it via the ALU to see if the same check-code is produced. If so, an output indicates a good unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, Jeffrey D. Bellay
  • Patent number: 4471426
    Abstract: A microcomputer device contains a CPU with an arithmetic/logic unit and data/address registers on a single semiconductor integrated circuit having on-chip macrocode and microcode storage. A macrocode word is fetched from an on-chip ROM and stored in an instruction register in the CPU, then a sequence of microcode words is fetched from microcode store based on this macrocode word. In some machines, microcode for two states is fetched at one time, and then applied to the ALU register and bus controls in the next two successive cycles. In this manner, the microcode store can be the same as macrocode store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kevin C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4459660
    Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a ROM for program memory, a read/write memory, and a CPU in a single integrated circuit. Input/output ports, interrupt and operating mode controls are memory mapped in the same logical address space as the program and read/write memory. The read/write memory is an array of one-transistor type dynamic storage cells in which data bits are stored in capacitor; refresh of this dynamic RAM is accomplished in a manner transparent to the CPU by an automatically-incremented address counter. Each data bit uses two one-transistor cells in a balanced, complementary array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bellay, Michael J. Hogan, Kevin C. McDonough, John W. Hayn
  • Patent number: 4450521
    Abstract: An electronic digital processor system including an internal memory for the storage of data and commands, an arithmetic and logic unit, a register set, data paths and control/timing circuitry together with peripheral control circuitry which provides a number of memory configurations and also provides offset addressing capability to access the interrupt control circuitry, interval timing circuitry and input/output ports. The several memory configurations include configurations that allow for the storage of commands and the storage of data in external devices interfaced to the processor system through the input/output port circuitries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, John W. Mayn, Gary L. Swoboda, Jeffrey D. Bellay
  • Patent number: 4441154
    Abstract: An electronic digital processor system including an internal memory, an arithmetic and logic unit, registers, peripheral control circuitry providing an internal mode, an external mode, emulator mode, data paths, and control and timing circuitry. In the internal mode, the data and the commands are stored in the internal memory. In the external mode, the commands which control the operations of the microcomputer are stored in the external memory. In the emulator mode, the user can combine the microcomputer with external devices to emulate a composite system with minimal hardware. The emulator mode would also allow the user to develop software for the composite system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, John W. Hayn, Jeffrey D. Bellay, Robert C. Thaden
  • Patent number: 4435763
    Abstract: A electronic digital processor system input/output circuitry including several input/output data ports where each port contains receiving circuitry to receive bit data from bit data pads and transmitting circuitry to transmit bit data to the data bit pads and control circuitry that provides for a configuration where one input/output port may respond to the address of another input/output port, allowing the second input/output port to perform other functions. This capability would allow a user to execute a program that emulates one configuration while the actual, physical connection of devices is, in fact, another configurations. The input/output circuitry also include control circuitry that determines whether the port is to receive bit data or to transmit bit data. This circuitry is connected to a data bus that couples the input/output data ports to the remaining electronic digital processor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bellay, Robert C. Thaden, John W. Hayn, Kevin C. McDonough
  • Patent number: 4434465
    Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a read-only memory for programs, a read/write memory usually containing data, and a CPU, all in a single integrated circuit. The CPU is microprogrammed in that each instruction word fetched from the program memory initiates a sequence of microinstructions to perform the operation defined by the instruction word. The sequence is determined by addresses for a control ROM, and the addresses are selected by a method referred to as dispatching. The control ROM output includes a jump address by which the next address may be any location in the entire control ROM address range. Alternatively, the jump address may be modified by any one of several dispatches. A group dispatch selects one of the modes of accessing source and/or destination operands, based on one field of the instruction word. A subsequent function dispatch selects one of the set of available arithmetic/logic operations to be performed in the CPU based on another field of the instruction word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, John W. Hayn, Jeffrey D. Bellay
  • Patent number: 4432052
    Abstract: A microcomputer device is disclosed containing a read-only memory for programs, a read/write memory usually containing data, and a CPU, all in a single integrated circuit. The CPU is microprogrammed in that each instruction word fetched from the program memory initiates a sequence of microinstructions to perform the operation defined by the instruction word. The sequence is determined by addresses for a control ROM, and the addresses are selected by a method referred to as dispatching. The control ROM output includes a jump address by which the next address may be any location in the entire control ROM address range. Alternatively, the jump address may be modified by any one of several dispatches. A group dispatch selects one of the modes of accessing source and/or destination operands, based on one field of the instruction word. A subsequent function dispatch selects one of the set of available arithmetic/logic operations to be performed in the CPU based on another field of the instruction word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin C. McDonough, John W. Hayn, Jeffrey D. Bellay