Patents by Inventor Robert M. Averill

Robert M. Averill 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).

  • Patent number: 10248749
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 10223487
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Publication number: 20180173817
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 9977851
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Publication number: 20180075171
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Publication number: 20180046734
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Publication number: 20180046741
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 9892222
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for automated attribute propagation and hierarchical consistency checking are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include: detecting, by a processor, a non-standard extension during convergence of an integrated circuit logic design; propagating, by the processor, the non-standard extension to each level of a plurality of hierarchies of the integrated circuit design for which a net utilizes a special constraint; and verifying, by the processor, a hierarchy consistency across each level of the plurality of hierarchies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Averill, III, Erwin Behnen, David S. Wolpert
  • Patent number: 9092591
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for pruning a layer trait library for use in wire routing in an integrated circuit design process. The mechanisms receive a plurality of wirecodes and a metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a verbose layer trait library based on all possible combinations of the wirecodes and layers of the metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a pruned layer trait library by pruning the verbose layer trait library to remove redundant layer traits from the verbose layer trait library. In addition, the mechanisms store the pruned layer trait library for performing wire routing of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Eric J. Fluhr, Zhuo Li, Tuhin Mahmud, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay, Chin Ngai Sze, Yaoguang Wei
  • Patent number: 9038009
    Abstract: Some example embodiments include a computer-implemented method for designing an integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a hierarchical network design for the integrated circuit, wherein the hierarchical design comprises a number of components that are coupled together. The computer-implemented method includes detecting that a component of the number of components has at least one of failed timing and incomplete timing based on a problem that comprises at least one of a missing assertion, one or more missing latches, a source driver having an input source slew that is greater than a source slew limit threshold, and a sink having an input sink slew that is greater than a sink slew limit threshold. The computer-implemented method includes replacing the component with a different component that is independent of the problem and testing others components of the number of components based on the different component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Jay Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Zhuo Li, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay
  • Publication number: 20140223397
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for pruning a layer trait library for use in wire routing in an integrated circuit design process. The mechanisms receive a plurality of wirecodes and a metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a verbose layer trait library based on all possible combinations of the wirecodes and layers of the metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a pruned layer trait library by pruning the verbose layer trait library to remove redundant layer traits from the verbose layer trait library. In addition, the mechanisms store the pruned layer trait library for performing wire routing of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Eric J. Fluhr, Zhuo Li, Tuhin Mahmud, Jose L.P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay, Chin Ngai Sze, Yaoguang Wei
  • Publication number: 20140195998
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for pruning a layer trait library for use in wire routing in an integrated circuit design process. The mechanisms receive a plurality of wirecodes and a metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a verbose layer trait library based on all possible combinations of the wirecodes and layers of the metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a pruned layer trait library by pruning the verbose layer trait library to remove redundant layer traits from the verbose layer trait library. In addition, the mechanisms store the pruned layer trait library for performing wire routing of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles J. Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Eric J. Fluhr, Zhuo Li, Tuhin Mahmud, Jose L.P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay, Chin Ngai Sze, Yaoguang Wei
  • Patent number: 8769468
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for pruning a layer trait library for use in wire routing in an integrated circuit design process. The mechanisms receive a plurality of wirecodes and a metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a verbose layer trait library based on all possible combinations of the wirecodes and layers of the metal stack definition. The mechanisms generate a pruned layer trait library by pruning the verbose layer trait library to remove redundant layer traits from the verbose layer trait library. In addition, the mechanisms store the pruned layer trait library for performing wire routing of an integrated circuit design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles J. Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Eric J. Fluhr, Zhuo Li, Tuhin Mahmud, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay, Chin Ngai Sze, Yaoguang Wei
  • Publication number: 20140101629
    Abstract: Some example embodiments include a computer-implemented method for designing an integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a hierarchical network design for the integrated circuit, wherein the hierarchical design comprises a number of components that are coupled together. The computer-implemented method includes detecting that a component of the number of components has at least one of failed timing and incomplete timing based on a problem that comprises at least one of a missing assertion, one or more missing latches, a source driver having an input source slew that is greater than a source slew limit threshold, and a sink having an input sink slew that is greater than a sink slew limit threshold. The computer-implemented method includes replacing the component with a different component that is independent of the problem and testing others components of the number of components based on the different component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Jay Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Zhuo Li, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay
  • Patent number: 8640075
    Abstract: Some example embodiments include a computer-implemented method for designing an integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a hierarchical network design for the integrated circuit, wherein the hierarchical design comprises a number of components that are coupled together. The computer-implemented method includes detecting that a component of the number of components has at least one of failed timing and incomplete timing based on a problem that comprises at least one of a missing assertion, one or more missing latches, a source driver having an input source slew that is greater than a source slew limit threshold, and a sink having an input sink slew that is greater than a sink slew limit threshold. The computer-implemented method includes replacing the component with a different component that is independent of the problem and testing others components of the number of components based on the different component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Jay Alpert, Robert M. Averill, III, Zhuo Li, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay
  • Publication number: 20130326450
    Abstract: Some example embodiments include a computer-implemented method for designing an integrated circuit. The computer-implemented method includes receiving a hierarchical network design for the integrated circuit, wherein the hierarchical design comprises a number of components that are coupled together. The computer-implemented method includes detecting that a component of the number of components has at least one of failed timing and incomplete timing based on a problem that comprises at least one of a missing assertion, one or more missing latches, a source driver having an input source slew that is greater than a source slew limit threshold, and a sink having an input sink slew that is greater than a sink slew limit threshold. The computer-implemented method includes replacing the component with a different component that is independent of the problem and testing others components of the number of components based on the different component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Jay Alpert, Robert M. Averill, Zhuo Li, Jose L. P. Neves, Stephen T. Quay
  • Patent number: 7568176
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for hierarchical integrated circuit repartitioning are provided. The method includes receiving parent level placement data for one or more interconnecting elements and designating at least one child to receive a pushdown of the one or more interconnecting elements from the parent level. For each child designated to receive the pushdown of the one or more interconnecting elements, the method further includes determining a physical coverage area of the child, identifying which of the one or more interconnecting elements within the physical coverage area of the child to pushdown into the child, generating an interconnecting element pushdown list for the child, including wiring layer information, and outputting the interconnecting element pushdown list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Adam R. Jatkowski, Robert M. Averill, III, Joseph J. Palumbo
  • Publication number: 20080301607
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for hierarchical integrated circuit repartitioning are provided. The method includes receiving parent level placement data for one or more interconnecting elements and designating at least one child to receive a pushdown of the one or more interconnecting elements from the parent level. For each child designated to receive the pushdown of the one or more interconnecting elements, the method further includes determining a physical coverage area of the child, identifying which of the one or more interconnecting elements within the physical coverage area of the child to pushdown into the child, generating an interconnecting element pushdown list for the child, including wiring layer information, and outputting the interconnecting element pushdown list.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam R. Jatkowski, Robert M. Averill, III, Joseph J. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 5304927
    Abstract: Monitoring a series of products of the kind in which the presence of foreign bodies in the product being monitored is detected by the characteristic magnetic field phase difference each material exhibits. The signal generated by a satisfactory product having no foreign body in it is used as the datum for judging whether the next subsequent product is free from a foreign body or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Cintex Limited
    Inventors: Neil E. Thomas, Clive F. Kittel, Robert M. Averill, Christopher Marcus, Ian W. D. Cox