Michael Brian Wells

US Patent:

43596312, Nov 16, 1982

Filed:

Jul 11, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/168953

Inventors:

Lawrence B. Lockwood - La Jolla CA
Michael Wells - San Diego CA
Henri J. A. Charmasson - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G07F 702
H04Q 100
G11B 500

US Classification:

235381

Abstract:

A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video information, printed documents, and goods; and for accepting service orders and payments therefor by currency or credit card. The terminal comprises a cathode ray tube display with mass storage for presenting information about the product or service sold, a keyboard for entry of customer requests, a printer for delivering coupons and tickets, a vending machine for dispensing small items, a coinbox and credit card reader for accepting payments for goods and services, and a telephone interface for communicating with the staff of a command center. The operation of the terminal is controlled by a microprocessor linked to an automated reservation system. The preferred embodiment of the invention is dedicated to the promotion and sale of travel services. The terminal is operated from three memory devices.

US Patent:

54577845, Oct 10, 1995

Filed:

Mar 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/846180

Inventors:

Michael F. Wells - Poway CA
John L. Kolb - Ramona CA
Jayanta Maitra - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Metacomp, Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G06F 501
G06F 1312
G06F 1336
G06F 1320

US Classification:

395829

Abstract:

A self-adapting interface assembly on a data processor allows communication with a variety of other data processing devices operating under different communication protocols. The assembly comprises an input and output signal translating module installed between the data processor input/output port and a cable terminated by simple adaptor modules for coupling to various types of data processing devices. The adaptor can sense the type of device and send to the translating module an identifying bit stream. The translating module uses the device identification to programmatically change the configuration of data receivers and drivers and control signal buffers in order to assure exchange of data between the data processor and the device connected to the adaptor module regardless of their respective electrical interface characteristics.

US Patent:

RE321150, Apr 15, 1986

Filed:

Nov 15, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/671705

Inventors:

Lawrence B. Lockwood - La Jolla CA
Michael Wells - San Diego CA
Henri J. A. Charmasson - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G06E 708

US Classification:

235381

Abstract:

A self service terminal for dispensing voice and video information, printed documents, and goods; and for accepting service orders and payments therefor by currency or credit card. The terminal comprises a cathode ray tube display with mass storage for presenting information about the product or service sold, a keyboard for entry of customer requests, a printer for delivering coupons and tickets, a vending machine for dispensing small items, a coinbox and credit card reader for accepting payments for goods and services, and a telephone interface for communicating with the staff of a command center. The operation of the terminal is controlled by a microprocessor linked to an automated reservation system. The preferred embodiment of the invention is dedicated to the promotion and sale of travel services. The terminal is operated from three memory devices.

US Patent:

44667493, Aug 21, 1984

Filed:

Apr 15, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/368891

Inventors:

Karl E. Cunningham - El Cajon CA
Michael F. Wells - Poway CA

Assignee:

Ectron Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01K 714
H03K 1302

US Classification:

374134

Abstract:

A thermocouple simulator system which is capable of generating a voltage equivalent to the EMF output of a thermocouple of a selected type at a specified sensing junction temperature. The system includes a keyboard which allows an operator to specify a sensing junction temperature, voltage, thermocouple type, reference junction temperature, and whether a pair of output terminals of the system perform as thermocouple alloy or copper. Using an operation program, a microprocessor calculates the thermocouple EMF using a stored temperature versus EMF polynomial function of the selected thermocouple type. The microprocessor then causes a voltage simulating the calculated EMF to be applied to the output terminals utilizing a reference voltage source, digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and output amplifier. When the wires connected to the output terminals are made of a different metal than the terminals, signals from temperature sensors in the output terminals are fed to the microprocessor through an analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor then offsets the voltage simulating the EMF output to compensate for the thermocouple junction formed in connecting the wires to the output terminals.

US Patent:

44854382, Nov 27, 1984

Filed:

Jun 28, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/393008

Inventors:

Erik R. Myrmo - San Diego CA
Michael F. Wells - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G06F 1516

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

In the operation of a network of data processing units, a method and apparatus for transferring information between units in a multi-processor environment at high throughput rates. The high throughput rates are achieved by concurrent send/receive direct-memory-access transfers between buffer memories associated with each unit. The invention provides for direct-memory-access (DMA) transfers between a buffer memory and the data port of the sending unit and direct-memory-access transfers between this data port and the buffer memory of the receiving unit; thus eliminating shared-memory resource allocation, memory access arbitration and other programmed operations which normally require execution of several instructions by each unit's processor for each transfer. Each unit interfaces with the system bus through a message transfer facility which groups the buffer memory, the output data port, an attention identification register, resident traffic control DMA and data processors and optional miscellaneous function expansion. Each message transfer is initiated by the sending unit placing on the system bus the address of the targeted receiving unit attention identification register, and the sending unit unique identification.