Patents Assigned to Concurrent Logic, Inc.
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Patent number: 5218240Abstract: A programmable logic array comprising cells and a bus network in which the cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix of rows and columns and are interconnected by the bus network. The cells are also interconnected by a two-dimensional array of direct connections between a cell and its four nearest neighbors, one to its left (or to the West), one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South). Each cell comprises eight inputs, eight outputs, means for multiplexing the eight inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads to produce output signals which are applied to the eight outputs. The bus network comprises a local, a turning and an express bus for each row and column of the array and repeater means for partitioning said buses of a given row or column so as to form bus segments. The bus network provides for transfer of data to the cells of the array without using the cells as individual wires.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1992Date of Patent: June 8, 1993Assignee: Concurrent Logic, Inc.Inventors: Rafael C. Camarota, Frederick C. Furtek, Walford W. Ho, Edward H. Browder
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Patent number: 5155389Abstract: A logic cell is described having four inputs, four outputs, a control store, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads and signals from the control store to produce output signals which are applied to the four outputs. Illustrative logic functions provided by the logic means include a cross-over or identify function, a change in the routing direction of an input signal, NAND and XOR gates and a D-type flip-flop. The selection of two of the four inputs as well as the selection of the particular logic function that is implemented is controlled by control bits stored in the control store. Numerous such logic cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix such that each cell has four nearest neighbor cells, one to its left (or to the West) one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignees: Concurrent Logic, Inc., Apple ComputerInventor: Frederick C. Furtek
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Patent number: 5144166Abstract: A programmable logic array comprising cells and a bus network in which the cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix of rows and columns and are interconnected by the bus network. The cells are also interconnected by a two-dimensional array of direct connections between a cell and its four nearest neighbors, one to its left (or to the West), one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South). Each cell comprises eight inputs, eight outputs, means for multiplexing the eight inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads to produce output signals which are applied to the eight outputs. The bus network comprises a local, a turning and an express bus for each row and column of the array and repeater means for partitioning said buses of a given row or column so as to form bus segments. The bus network provides for transfer of data to the cells of the array without using the cells as individual wires.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1990Date of Patent: September 1, 1992Assignee: Concurrent Logic, Inc.Inventors: Rafael C. Camarota, Frederick C. Furtek, Walford W. Ho, Edward H. Browder
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Patent number: 5089973Abstract: Programmable logic cells, and arrays of those cells, having certain characteristics, including: (1) the ability to program each cell to act either as a logic element or as a logical identity element(s) between one or more inputs and one or more outputs; (2) the ability to rotate circuits by 90.degree. and to reflect circuits about horizontal and vertical axes; (3) an integrated logic and communication structure which emphasizes strictly local communications; (4) a minimal complexity of logic functions available at the cell level, making available a very fine-grained logic structure; and (5) suitability for implementation of both synchronous and asynchronous logic, including speed-independent circuits. Cells are arranged in a grid, with each cell communicating with its north, east, west and south neighbors. The cells are programmable to several states.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 1989Date of Patent: February 18, 1992Assignees: Apple Computer Inc., Concurrent Logic, Inc.Inventor: Frederick C. Furtek
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Patent number: 5019736Abstract: A logic cell is described having four inputs, four outputs, a control store, means for multiplexing the four inputs onto two leads and logic means that operate in response to the signals on the two leads and signals from the control store to product output signals which are applied to the four outputs. Illustrative logic functions provided by the logic means include a cross-over or identity function, a change in the routing direction of an input signal, NAND and XOR gates and a D-type flip-flop. The selection of two of the four inputs as well as the selection of the particular logic function that is implemented is controlled by control bits stored in the control store. Numerous such logic cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix such that each cell has four nearest neighbor cells, one to its left (or to the West) one to its right (or to the East), one above it (or to the North) and one below it (or to the South).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1989Date of Patent: May 28, 1991Assignees: Concurrent Logic, Inc., Apple Computer, Inc.Inventor: Frederick C. Furtek
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Patent number: 4700187Abstract: An asynchronous logic cell and a two- or three dimensional array formed of such cells. Each cell comprises a number of exclusive-OR gates, Muller C-elements and programmable switches. The logic cell is reprogrammable and may even be reprogrammed dynamically, such as to perform recursive operations or simply to make use of hardware which is temporarily idle. Programming is accomplished by setting the states of the switches in each cell. A user-friendly programming environment facilitates the programming of the switches. The array can be used to implement any circuit capable of being modelled as a broad class of Petri Nets. Configurations for (i.e., programs for setting cell switches to create) circuit blocks such as adders, multiplexers, buffer stacks, and so forth, may be stored in a library for future reference. With an adequate library, custom hardware can be designed by simply mapping stored blocks onto chips and connecting them together.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1985Date of Patent: October 13, 1987Assignee: Concurrent Logic, Inc.Inventor: Frederick C. Furtek