Ronald Anthony Shipp

Title: Ronald Anthony Shipp: Graphics Controller Innovation

Introduction

Ronald Anthony Shipp is an inventor associated with Houston, Texas, and Compaq Computer Corporation. His patent work addresses graphics-controller architecture, particularly the buffering and reuse of commands in video graphics systems.

Latest Patents

Shipp is credited with 1 patent: “Graphics Controller Utilizing Video Memory to Provide Macro Command.” The patent describes an apparatus and method for buffering graphics commands and implementing graphics macros.

The invention uses off-screen video memory to create a dynamic command FIFO and to store command sequences for later or repeated execution. Its architecture includes a command FIFO controller, an on-chip bus FIFO, an on-chip command buffer, and multiplexers that route commands through different paths. Commands can proceed through the buffers to the execution circuitry, bypass the buffers, or be transferred from the bus FIFO to video memory and retrieved later.

The controller also includes logic for generating macro addresses, managing read and write addresses for the dynamic command FIFO, tracking FIFO status, and providing busy-status information for software synchronization.

Career Highlights

Shipp’s listed patent is associated with Compaq Computer Corporation, a company known for developing computer systems and related technologies. The patent reflects work on improving how graphics commands are buffered, organized, and reused within a graphics controller.

Collaborations

The provided information identifies Stuart Hecht and Patrick A. Harkin as Shipp’s coworkers. It does not specify their roles in the patent or establish them as co-inventors.

Conclusion

Ronald Anthony Shipp’s patent describes a graphics-controller design that uses video memory to buffer commands and store reusable macros, highlighting an approach to managing graphics operations efficiently.