Michael D Berger

US Patent:

44687532, Aug 28, 1984

Filed:

Sep 21, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/304173

Inventors:

Michael F. Berger - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

G06F 300

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

An input/output bus structure for a computer system is disclosed in which the computer's central processor is fully protected from "foreign" I/O devices in that all of the incoming and outgoing bus signals are buffered and the buffer stores can be disabled under software control. To attach an input/output device on the input/output bus, certain requirements, both hardware and software, must be met. The input/output bus is enabled by writing a predetermined bit pattern to a preselected output port. In response to the bit pattern, hardware in the input/output port enables the input/output bus tranceivers to receive and send information.

US Patent:

44438834, Apr 17, 1984

Filed:

Sep 21, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/304265

Inventors:

Michael F. Berger - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

G08C 2500
G06F 300
H04L 700
G11B 506

US Classification:

375116

Abstract:

Data synchronization apparatus for a 1500 baud computer-audio frequency magnetic tape recorder interface is disclosed. The synchronization apparatus automatically detects bit cell boundaries and synchronizes at both the bit level and the byte level even if the audio waveform as read from the tape is inverted, as is the case with some tape recorders. Synchronization is performed by squaring the audio waveform and measuring two successive time intervals occurring between three successive positive-going transitions and subtracting the resulting measurements. If the calculated difference is less than a predetermined amount, positive-going transitions of the waveform are selected as bit cell boundaries. If, on the other hand, the calculated difference is greater than the predetermined amount, negative-going edges are selected as bit cell boundaries. Synchronization is achieved on a byte level by shifting incoming data into a first-in/first-out buffer and examining the stored data for a predetermined bit pattern.

US Patent:

45905568, May 20, 1986

Filed:

Jan 17, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/458541

Inventors:

Michael F. Berger - Fort Worth TX
Sammy D. Sawyer - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

364200

Abstract:

A dual processor system in which one processor is dedicated to input/output tasks while the other is dedicated to high level language tasks when operating as a 16-bit machine. The processors include a first microprocessor which is an 8-bit machine, and a second microprocessor which is a 16-bit machine. The first processor has a memory associated therewith which may, for example, be a 64K memory while the second processor has a larger capacity memory. The second processor does not access the memory of the first processor, however, the first processor can access a portion of the second processor's memory. Access to the second processor's memory is controlled by an arbitrator that is operated by system software to prevent access conflicts. For boot-up during power-up operation, a boot ROM is used, attached to the 8-bit processor having stored therein a boot strap program that is initially loaded into the 8-bit processor memory. If the operating system loaded from a diskette indicates 8-bit software, then the 16-bit processor is maintained reset or halted.

US Patent:

44126379, Nov 1, 1983

Filed:

Oct 5, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/309462

Inventors:

Michael A. Berger - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Datamarc, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

B65H 2912
B65H 1738

US Classification:

226172

Abstract:

A bidirectional document tractor unit having spaced apart laterally adjustable tractor mechanisms each provided with an endless tractor belt which is in driving engagement with a document support belt to provide a document path interposed between the support belt and the tractor belt. The support belts include perforations engageable with the drive pins on the tractor belt. The support belts also are drivably engaged with sprocket members having document drive pins formed thereon. The tractor belts are driven through suitable sprockets in driving engagement with an elongated driveshaft. Movable gates are disposed adjacent to the drive sprockets which provide for lead-in driving engagement with the document which is trained along the tractor belt between the tractor belt and the support belt, then through the printer platen and then along the opposite run of the tractor belts before returning to a document magazine or stack. Formed rod support bars are provided for maintaining oppositely moving runs of the document spaced apart from each other.

US Patent:

46791663, Jul 7, 1987

Filed:

Nov 12, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/796760

Inventors:

Michael F. Berger - Fort Worth TX
Sammy D. Sawyer - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

A dual processor system in which one processor is dedicated to input/output tasks while the other is dedicated to high level language tasks when operating as a 16-bit machine. The processors include a first microprocessor which is an 8-bit machine, and a second microprocessor which is a 16-bit machine. The first processor has a memory associated therewith which may, for example, be a 64K memory while the second processor has a larger capacity memory. The second processor does not access the memory of the first processor, however, the first processor can access a portion of the second processor's memory. Access to the second processor's memory is controlled by an arbitrator that is operated by system software to prevent access conflicts. For boot-up during power-up operation, a boot ROM is used, attached to the 8-bit processor having stored therein a boot strap program that is initially loaded into the 8-bit processor memory. If the operating system loaded from a diskette indicates 8-bit software, then the 16-bit processor is maintained reset or halted.

US Patent:

61968463, Mar 6, 2001

Filed:

Jun 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/089122

Inventors:

Michael A. Berger - Richardson TX
Andrew K. Overheu - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Virtual Village, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G09B 1900

US Classification:

434118

Abstract:

A system for establishing a data session and a voice session for training a user on a computer program includes a customer workstation coupled to a selected agent workstation by a data network and a voice network. The customer workstation generates a session request in response to user input requesting assistance regarding the computer program. The data network and the voice network establish a data session and a voice session, respectively, between the customer workstation and the selected agent workstation in response to the session request.

US Patent:

46495142, Mar 10, 1987

Filed:

Nov 30, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/556466

Inventors:

Michael F. Berger - Fort Worth TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

G06F 900
G06F 1100

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

Circuitry for automatically configuring the operating system software of a computer is disclosed. The circuitry includes a revision port which generates a unique eight-bit code indicating the latest revision level of the main circuit board in the computer. Each time revisions are made in the board during manufacturing or each time a circuit board containing new revisions is put into the system by maintenance or service personnel, the eight-bit code generated by the port is changed. During the process of configuring the operating system software, the central processing unit reads the code generated by the port and uses the revision information to load and link software routines which will operate properly with the revised circuitry.

US Patent:

40747980, Feb 21, 1978

Filed:

Sep 1, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/719630

Inventors:

Michael A. Berger - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B41J 130

US Classification:

197 53

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for providing variable print hammer energy information and variable character spacing information for every character of every font in an electronic typing system having interchangeable print wheels, wherein the individual print wheels carry self-descriptive information in coded form on a read-only memory. The descriptive information is encoded on a portion of the print wheel and contains, in high density, machine readable, permanent form, sufficient coded data to instruct the electronic typing system as to the optimal use of the particular font of characters contained on the type wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a single initializing revolution of the print wheel upon each insertion or machine start-up cycle serves to load the encoded data into a read/write memory for subsequent call-up and use by the electronic typing system during the print-out of each character. The data is serially encoded on the print wheel for reading by single track optional sensing apparatus. Alternate embodiments using parallel data tracks and magnetic sensing apparatus are discussed.