William S Jocobs

Title: William S Jocobs: Innovator in Portable Computer Interface Systems

Introduction

William S Jocobs, based in Santa Cruz, California, is a notable inventor recognized for his contributions to the field of portable computer technology. With two patents to his name, Jocobs has focused on enhancing the input/output capabilities of portable devices, making significant advancements in device interoperability.

Latest Patents

Jocobs' innovative patents include a "System for Extending ISA Bus Without Using Dedicated Device Driver." This bus interface system enables the expansion of I/O capabilities for portable computers by utilizing a parallel port connector equipped with master interface circuitry. This circuitry connects to the internal ISA I/O bus, driving a 25-conductor Centronics-type cable as an intermediate bus. The clever design allows for a device-driver-transparent interface, multiplexing address, data, and control information over a byte-wide intermediate bus based on pre-mapped state translation tables. In one embodiment, a peripheral I/O device featuring slave circuitry can be connected to the 25-pin port, allowing demultiplexing of the intermediate bus states to provide a synthesized subset of ISA states. Another embodiment involves a docking box with multiple I/O ports, including network and serial ports, along with additional floppy and hard disk drives, incorporating power circuitry for both driving a connected peripheral and recharging the docked portable computer.

Career Highlights

William S Jocobs has contributed his expertise to various organizations, including Elonex Technologies, Inc. and Elonex IP Holdings Ltd. His experience in these companies has been pivotal in his development of innovative systems for enhanced portable computing.

Collaborations

Throughout his professional journey, Jocobs has worked alongside remarkable individuals such as Dan Kikinis and William J Seiler, collaborating to push the boundaries of technology and innovation in computing.

Conclusion

William S Jocobs embodies the spirit of innovation in portable computing through his inventive approaches and impactful patents. His work continues to influence the design and functionality of portable computer systems, paving the way for advancements in user experience and device integration.