Patents by Inventor Mark A. Espelien

Mark A. Espelien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Fully programmable and configurable application specific integrated circuit
    Patent number: 6297666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a fully programmable and configurable application specific integrated circuit (FPCA). Programmable I/O cells are programmed for selected electrical characteristics, including power and ground. The circuit contains a functional core for programming the circuit, programmable I/O leads to connect to the programmable I/O cells, and programming logic and control for programming the functional core and I/O cells. Certain leads double as programmable I/O leads and programming control leads, and are used to communicate with the programming logic and control and the I/O cells. A method of programming the FPCA comprises the steps of asserting the programming control signal; applying programming voltage and ground to a respective two designated I/O cells' leads; isolating a plurality of the I/O cells from the programming signal; and programming an FPGA array in addition to the isolated I/O cells of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: InnoVasic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Weingartner, Paul J. Short, Mark A. Espelien, Jordon W. Woods