Michael G Pierce

US Patent:

56067046, Feb 25, 1997

Filed:

Oct 26, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/330250

Inventors:

Michael E. Pierce - Orangevale CA
David C. Scheer - Boca Raton FL

Assignee:

Intel Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 132

US Classification:

395750

Abstract:

A system for controlling the power consumption of an add-in PC card operating within a host computer. The host computer includes a power supply that provides all power used by the PC card. The PC card includes communication registers required for communication between the host computer and the PC card. The PC card also includes a microcontroller connected to an I/O subsystem and a multi-pin I/O connector. A first side of the multi-pin I/O connector is connected to the I/O subsystem and a second side is connected to a source of I/O signals external to the host computer. An external register module is connected to the microcontroller and communicates with the host computer. The external register module contains the communication registers. A status detector located on the PC card detects whether the I/O subsystem is processing I/O information, and supplies a status signal indicative thereof. A power management module is also located on the PC card and is connected to the status connector.

US Patent:

58025588, Sep 1, 1998

Filed:

Nov 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/746155

Inventors:

Michael E. Pierce - Orangevale CA

Assignee:

Intel Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06K 19067
G06F 1300
G06F 900

US Classification:

711115

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method for upgrading the memory contents of a removable computer card in a computer system. The computer card includes a specialized random access memory and circuitry that allows the computer system read only access to the contents of a first portion of the specialized random access memory device during normal operations. To upgrade the contents in the specialized random access memory, the circuitry allows the computer system write access privileges to the entire random access memory device. The computer card also includes a microcontroller which controls read and write access requests by the computer system to the specialized random access memory device. The microcontroller is placed in a reduced power consumption state when the computer system is performing read only access to the specialized random access memory device so that overall power consumption by the card in the computer system is reduced.

US Patent:

55465900, Aug 13, 1996

Filed:

Sep 19, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/308835

Inventors:

Michael E. Pierce - Orangevale CA

Assignee:

Intel Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F 132

US Classification:

395750

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for removing and applying power to circuitry within a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) PC card so as to reduce power consumption and, thus, prolong battery life for a portable computer system or electronic device, hereinafter referred to as a host system, in which the PC card is plugged is described. The PC card employs logic controlled by the host system to properly sequence control lines to and removal of power from the PC card circuitry to be powered down so as to prevent the occurrence of a CMOS latchup condition, allow for data to be saved and later restored when the circuitry is powered up, and maximize reduction in power consumption by the host system.