Patents by Inventor Richard S. Lin

Richard S. Lin 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).

  • Publication number: 20040059843
    Abstract: A computer system reroutes a configuration cycle intended for an unused system bus address line to the IDSEL, or equivalent, configuration chip select input pin of a device which uses the same system bus address line as another device on the system bus. The computer system has a PCI bus to which a programmable logic device and an electronically-controlled switch are connected. The programmable logic device detects PCI bus configuration cycles associated with a PCI bus AD line that is otherwise unused as a chip select during configuration cycles. When the logic device detects a configuration cycle associated with the unused AD line, the logic device asserts a control signal to the electronically-controlled switch. The switch then connects the previously unused AD line to the AD line that is connected to the IDSEL input pin of the PCI device that experiences the conflict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Walter G. Fry, Robert E. Krancher, Richard S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6654896
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for handling devices that assert a wake-up signal in an improper fashion. It is observed that any wake-up signals that remain asserted as the computer system enters a low-power mode are likely produced by non-compliant cards, and to assure proper functioning of the system, it is desirable for the computer system to selectively block assertion of asserted signals from non-compliant cards. In one embodiment the computer system includes an expansion bus coupled to a bus bridge, and a signal gate. The expansion bus includes a wake-up signal that the signal gate can be configured to isolate from the bus bridge. The signal gate is preferably controlled by the power management controller. The power management controller sets the signal gate to isolate the signal from the bus bridge if the controller determines that wake-up signal is being driven in a non-standard manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott P. Saunders, Robert E. Krancher, Richard S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6636904
    Abstract: A computer system reroutes a configuration cycle intended for an unused system bus address line to the IDSEL, or equivalent, configuration chip select input pin of a device which uses the same system bus address line as another device on the system bus. The computer system has a PCI bus to which a programmable logic device and an electronically-controlled switch are connected. The programmable logic device detects PCI bus configuration cycles associated with a PCI bus AD line that is otherwise unused as a chip select during configuration cycles. When the logic device detects a configuration cycle associated with the unused AD line, the logic device asserts a control signal to the electronically-controlled switch. The switch then connects the previously unused AD line to the AD line that is connected to the IDSEL input pin of the PCI device that experiences the conflict.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Walter G. Fry, Robert E. Krancher, Richard S. Lin
  • Publication number: 20030097509
    Abstract: A computer system reroutes a configuration cycle intended for an unused system bus address line to the IDSEL, or equivalent, configuration chip select input pin of a device which uses the same system bus address line as another device on the system bus. The computer system has a PCI bus to which a programmable logic device and an electronically-controlled switch are connected. The programmable logic device detects PCI bus configuration cycles associated with a PCI bus AD line that is otherwise unused as a chip select during configuration cycles. When the logic device detects a configuration cycle associated with the unused AD line, the logic device asserts a control signal to the electronically-controlled switch. The switch then connects the previously unused AD line to the AD line that is connected to the IDSEL input pin of the PCI device that experiences the conflict.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: WALTER G. FRY, ROBERT E. KRANCHER, RICHARD S. LIN
  • Patent number: 6154798
    Abstract: A method for hot docking and hot undocking a portable computer and a docking station. The portable computer and docking station are physically coupled via a shared PCI bus and an expansion connector. Varying length pins in the expansion connector generate docking and undocking handshaking signals used by microcontrollers in the portable computer and docking station. The portable computer and docking station are functionally connected via low onresistance switches located in the portable computer. Following a docking event, closure of the switches connects the portion of the shared PCI bus in the docking station with the PCI bus in the portable computer. When the switches are open, the PCI busses are functionally isolated. Both the portable computer and the docking station also include a local arbiter for arbitrating and granting bus control requests from devices coupled to the shared PCI bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Lin, David J. Maguire, James R. Edwards, David J. Delisle
  • Patent number: 5873000
    Abstract: A method for hot docking and hot undocking a portable computer and a docking station. The portable computer and docking station are physically coupled via a shared PCI bus and an expansion connector. Varying length pins in the expansion connector generate docking and undocking handshaking signals used by microcontrollers in the portable computer and docking station. The portable computer and docking station are functionally connected via low on-resistance switches located in the portable computer. Following a docking event, closure of the switches connects the portion of the shared PCI bus in the docking station with the PCI bus in the portable computer. When the switches are open, the PCI busses are functionally isolated. Both the portable computer and the docking station also include a local arbiter for arbitrating and granting bus control requests from devices coupled to the shared PCI bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Lin, David J. Maguire, James R. Edwards, David J. Delisle