Patents by Inventor Michael Simmons

Michael Simmons 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: 7904623
    Abstract: An Ethernet controller semiconductor chip has a system control unit, a media access control layer coupled with the system control unit, a physical layer coupled with the media access control layer, wherein the physical layer comprises a receiving port and a transmitting port, a switch control unit for providing a control signal for auto media device interface switching, and a plurality of external pins, wherein four pins are coupled with the receiving and transmitting port of the physical layer and one pin is coupled with the switch control unit for providing external access to the control signal for auto media device interface switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Howard Henry Schlunder
  • Patent number: 7589564
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device upon exiting from a low power mode, wakes up and re-initializes logic circuits so as to restore previous logic states of internal registers without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered. Thus not distributing the operation of other devices connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit device previously in the low power mode. Once all internal logic and registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device have been re-initialized, a “low power state wake-up and restore” signal may issue. This signal indicates that the I/O configuration control and data states stored in the I/O keeper cell at the time the integrated circuit device entered into the low power mode have been reinstated and control may be returned to the logic circuits and/or internal registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Igor Wojewoda
  • Patent number: 7583104
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device upon exiting from a low power mode, wakes up and re-initializes logic circuits so as to restore previous logic states of internal registers without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered. Thus not distributing the operation of other devices connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit device previously in the low power mode. Once all internal logic and registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device have been re-initialized, a “low power state wake-up and restore” signal may issue. This signal indicates that the I/O configuration control and data states stored in the I/O keeper cell at the time the integrated circuit device entered into the low power mode have been reinstated and control may be returned to the logic circuits and/or internal registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Igor Wojewoda
  • Patent number: 7570533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing data storage which can be completely erased to prevent access to previously stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Gregory Cooper, David R. Gorman, Tracy Hooker
  • Patent number: 7550984
    Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20090132742
    Abstract: An Ethernet controller semiconductor chip has a system control unit, a media access control layer coupled with the system control unit, a physical layer coupled with the media access control layer, wherein the physical layer comprises a receiving port and a transmitting port, a switch control unit for providing a control signal for auto media device interface switching, and a plurality of external pins, wherein four pins are coupled with the receiving and transmitting port of the physical layer and one pin is coupled with the switch control unit for providing external access to the control signal for auto media device interface switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Howard Henry Schlunder
  • Publication number: 20090132751
    Abstract: A controller, in particular an Ethernet controller has a control unit operable to receive commands and data through an I/O interface; a plurality of registers arranged in a register block which is divided into a plurality of register banks, wherein at least one register controls a function of the controller; a register address unit having logic for accessing one of the plurality of registers by a plurality of addressing schemes, wherein the addressing schemes at least has a direct address provided by received data, a combined address provided by a partial address from a received command and a bank address stored in a bank register, and an address selected form a plurality of predetermined addresses through a received command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Simmons
  • Publication number: 20090129269
    Abstract: An Ethernet controller has a buffer memory for receiving data packets, a data flow control unit for controlling the data flow to Ethernet controller, a packet counter, packet counter control logic for incrementing and decrementing the packet counter, a first register for storing a watermark, and a comparator logic coupled to the packet counter and the register for sending control signals to the data flow control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Howard Henry Schlunder
  • Publication number: 20090132734
    Abstract: A controller has an interface, a buffer memory, a first set of registers for accessing the buffer memory, a second set of registers independent from the first set of registers for accessing the buffer memory, and a control unit for decoding and executing buffer memory access commands received by the interface to access the buffer memory through either the first or second set of registers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Howard Henry Schlunder
  • Publication number: 20080238472
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device uses two keeper cells per configuration and/or enable bit as dual redundant storage with error detection thereof. One of the two keeper cells stores a logic level and the other keeper cell stores the inverse of that logic level before the integrated circuit device goes into a low power mode. An exclusive OR (XOR) is performed on the outputs of the two keeper cells (a keeper cell pair) such that if the two keeper cells of the keeper cell pair do not have opposite logic levels stored therein, then the respective XOR outputs an error signal for that keeper cell pair and the error signal is used to force the integrated circuit device out of the low power mode, depending on software control, with or without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080136450
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device upon exiting from a low power mode, wakes up and re-initializes logic circuits so as to restore previous logic states of internal registers without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered. Thus not distributing the operation of other devices connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit device previously in the low power mode. Once all internal logic and registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device have been re-initialized, a “low power state wake-up and restore” signal may issue. This signal indicates that the I/O configuration control and data states stored in the I/O keeper cell at the time the integrated circuit device entered into the low power mode have been reinstated and control may be returned to the logic circuits and/or internal registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Igor Wojewoda
  • Publication number: 20080136451
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device upon exiting from a low power mode, wakes up and re-initializes logic circuits so as to restore previous logic states of internal registers without disturbing input-output (I/O) configuration control and data states present at the time the low power mode was entered. Thus not distributing the operation of other devices connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit device previously in the low power mode. Once all internal logic and registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device have been re-initialized, a “low power state wake-up and restore” signal may issue. This signal indicates that the I/O configuration control and data states stored in the I/O keeper cell at the time the integrated circuit device entered into the low power mode have been reinstated and control may be returned to the logic circuits and/or internal registers of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Igor Wojewoda
  • Publication number: 20080054922
    Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia McDonald
  • Publication number: 20080048016
    Abstract: Containers, lids, and sleeve structures are disclosed. Particularly, sleeve structures configured for insulating, stabilizing, or both insulating and stabilizing a container are disclosed. Further, a sleeve structure including a plurality of circumferentially adjacent, longitudinally extending sections and a sleeve structure including one or more frustoconical regions are disclosed. Containers, lids, and sleeve structures including at least one stabilizing feature are disclosed. Assemblies including a lower container, associated lid and sleeve structure, wherein at least one of the lower container, the lid, or the sleeve structure includes at least one stabilizing feature for engaging at least a portion of a sleeve structure associated with an upper container, wherein the upper container is positioned longitudinally above and is substantially aligned or centered with respect to a lower container, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Jack Simmons, John Simmons, Tom Simmons, David Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080019890
    Abstract: A system provides for high level disinfection or sterilization of an endoscope having a first portion adapted for immersion and a second portion not adapted for immersion. The system includes a container having a first basin sized and adapted to receive the first portion of the endoscope for immersion, a separate and adjacent second basin sized and adapted to receive the second portion of the endoscope, a wall between the first basing and the second basin, and a trough in an upper portion of the wall between the first basin and second basin through which a tube connecting the first portion of the endoscope and the second portion of the endoscope may extend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Su-Syin Wu, Josh Hagerman, Michael Simmons, Idemudia Ehigiato, Scott Godfrey
  • Patent number: 7295025
    Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20070246083
    Abstract: A lid mechanism for a dishwasher having an least one washing unit provided with a lid includes at least one bracket that can be mounted to one of an outer support body and opposing side edge portions of a lid. The bracket includes a pin element that extends laterally outwardly from the bracket. The lid mechanism further includes at least one guide member that can be mounted to another of the outer support body and the opposing side edge portions of the lid. The guide member establishes a cam member and a guide track which cooperates with the pin element to raise and lower the lid relative to the washing unit. A spring is provided to biase the lid in a direction away from the washing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Simmons, Jeffrey Williams
  • Publication number: 20070018665
    Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia McDonald
  • Patent number: 7138810
    Abstract: A cable includes an inner conductor, an inner dielectric, and a guard conductor, where the inner dielectric is between the inner conductor and the guard conductor. The cable also includes an outer dielectric, and a shield conductor, where the outer dielectric is between the guard conductor and the shield conductor. The cable further includes an additional layer of material between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor of suitable composition for reducing triboelectric current generation between the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to less than that which would occur were the outer dielectric and the shield conductor to directly adjoin each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cascade Microtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Lesher, Brad Miller, Clarence E. Cowan, Michael Simmons, Frank Gray, Cynthia L. McDonald
  • Publication number: 20060119236
    Abstract: A vertical height adjustment mechanism for a dish rack includes a slide member fixedly mounted relative to a support member, a housing secured to the dish rack, and a latch member. The housing includes a central guide channel that slidably receives the slide member. The latch member includes a support leg, an actuating arm and an intermediate portion joining the support leg and actuating arm. The sliding element includes an end portion that receives and retains the support leg of the latch when the dish rack is in the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Harry Dickson, Kory Gunnerson, Kristen Hedstrom, Mark Palm, Michael Simmons, Daniel Teteak, Chad Thomas, Wayne VanLandingham, Rodney Welch, Karl Wendt, Jeffrey Williams