Patents Examined by Ed Garcia-Otero
  • Patent number: 6963824
    Abstract: The objective of the invention is a bi-level method for modeling geometric tolerances compatible with the ANSI/ASME tolerance standard. At the local level, the model represents each tolerance-zone for a plane or an axis (line) as a tolerance map, and it includes the computational techniques that relate interdependencies between these regions and subregions within them. The model includes formulations for variations in size, form, orientation, position, and runout, and combinations of these, because all of these variations can be modeled using points, lines, and planes. Since variations in simple profiles that are formed from lines and circular arcs also can be described by such combinations, they too are includable in the formulation. The primary method is to overlay the geometry of tolerance-zones onto some traditional modes for representing planes, lines, and points. At the global level, the model inter-relates all frames of reference on a part or an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph K. Davidson, Jami J. Shah, Amir Mujezinovié
  • Patent number: 6959272
    Abstract: A method and system for constructing a structural model of a memory for use in ATPG (Automatic Test Pattern Generation). According to an embodiment of the present invention, behavioral models of memories of the simulation libraries are re-coded into simplified behavioral models using behavioral hardware description language (e.g., Verilog). Then, the simplified behavioral models are automatically converted into structural models that include ATPG memory primitives. The structural models are then stored for subsequent access during pattern generation. In one embodiment, for modeling random access memories (RAMs), the ATPG memory primitives include memory primitives, data bus primitives, address bus primitives, read-port primitives and macro output primitives. In another embodiment, for modeling content addressable memories (CAMs), the ATPG memory primitives include memory primitives, compare port primitives and macro output primitives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wohl, John Waicukauski, Timothy G. Hunkler
  • Patent number: 6944585
    Abstract: A streaming media server is provided for dynamically resolving a request for digital content based upon the identity of the requester. The digital content may be specifically tailored to the demographics of the viewer, and need not be physically stored in sequence. Information about a viewer of digital video is stored within a user profile. The collection of all user profiles is maintained by a profile manager. When a viewer requests a digital data stream from the media server, a content resolver, coupled to the media server, determines how to service the request based upon the appropriate user profile. In certain embodiments, the content resolver may be configured to send targeted advertisements towards the requester of the digital data stream. In other embodiments, the content resolver may be configured to send personalized information pertaining to the requesting user. In other embodiments, the content resolver may personalize the requested content according to the user profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Pawson
  • Patent number: 6928403
    Abstract: Connectivity between an emulation controller and a plurality of target devices can be automatically detected. After the target devices (Chip1, ChipN) and the emulation controller (12) tri-state respective terminals thereof, one of the target devices drives a predetermined logic level on each of the aforementioned terminals thereof in sequence, while maintaining the remainder of the aforementioned terminals thereof tri-stated. These driving (33) and maintaining (31) operations are thereafter performed by each of the remaining target devices in sequence. During each driving step, all of the target devices and the emulation controller read logic levels at their aforementioned terminals (34, 43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary L. Swoboda
  • Patent number: 6925427
    Abstract: A method of determining a switch sequence plan for an electrical system includes the steps of identifying switches for the electrical system and organizing the identified switches within a switch group by defining a coincident group of switches to be closed together or a sequential group of switches to be closed one at a time and by defining a duration of time the switches should be closed. The method also includes the steps of organizing the switch group in a data tree structure for the switch sequence plan and traversing the data tree structure recursively to calculate opening and closing times for the switches within the switch sequence plan. The method further includes the steps of generating a simulation command for setting a position sequence of the switches from the opening and closing times for the switch sequence plan and using commands within the switch sequence plan to operatively control the switches in a simulation of the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Anthony Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6917908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to software for training an aircraft pilot to respond to the failure of one or more engines of a multi-engine aircraft during flight. The software simulates engine failure through the use of software imposed power output limits on the one or more engines for which failure is simulated. In certain embodiments, the software of the present invention sets one or more of the engine condition gauges to a fictitious readings corresponding to readings that would be displayed in the event of an actual engine failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Arthur Williams
  • Patent number: 6912487
    Abstract: A system and method provide a computer-based automated tool for quickly and efficiently designing utility stations. One example of such a utility station is a unit substation. The tool includes a database of user-selective predrawn symbols that are associated with a pre-defined and stored station template. Each of the respective symbols have associated therewith attributes that are computer recognizable as being attributes associated with the respective symbols, and may be combined into a list, when the symbols are selected for use with the station. The tool presents a graphical rendering of the symbols arranged on the station, after the respective symbols have been identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Public Service Company of New Mexico
    Inventors: Gathen Garcia, Gene Wolf, Chris Hickman
  • Patent number: 6912491
    Abstract: A new method is presented for generating a probability map, a cutoff map, and a confidence limit map in one single operation. In addition, the new method can also generate a cube representing a cubic volume of earth formation by using the same method for generating the aforementioned maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Peter P. Van Bemmel
  • Patent number: 6904396
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining the progress toward the achievement of best-in-class motor vehicles. The method may be comprised of several steps. First, internal organizational data is gathered. [The internal organizational data includes critical design characteristics, critical manufacturing characteristics, and critical performance characteristics. The critical design characteristics are those design features which are historically valued by customers. The critical manufacturing characteristics are those manufacturing features which are have also been valued by customers. The critical performance characteristics are those performance characteristics valued by customers.] Second, external organizational data is gathered. [The external organizational data includes a list of design characteristics and manufacturing characteristics that are deemed important by suppliers and competitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph E Schramek
  • Patent number: 6895373
    Abstract: A system and method provide a computer-based automated tool for quickly and efficiently designing utility stations. One example of such a utility station is a unit substation. The tool includes a database of user-selective predrawn symbols that are associated with a pre-defined and stored station template. Each of the respective symbols have associated therewith attributes that are computer recognizable as being attributes associated with the respective symbols, and may be combined into a list, when the symbols are selected for use with the station. The tool presents a graphical rendering of the symbols arranged on the station, after the respective symbols have been identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Public Service Company of New Mexico
    Inventors: Gathen Garcia, Gene Wolf, Chris Hickman
  • Patent number: 6871167
    Abstract: For use in an integral equation formulation of capacitance, a system for, and method of, generating a representation of charge distribution for a given capacitive structure (which may be an integrated circuit). In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a charge variation function generator that creates a multidimensional charge variation function that is not directly dependent on a conductive geometry of the structure and (2) a conductive geometry generator, associated with the charge variation generator, that creates a conductive geometry that is independent of charge variation in the structure, the charge variation function and the conductive geometry employable in the integral equation formulation to reduce a complexity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Sharad Kapur, David E. Long
  • Patent number: 6862563
    Abstract: A method of managing the configuration, design parameters, and functionality of an integrated circuit (IC) design using a hardware description language (HDL). Instructions can be added, subtracted, or generated by the designer interactively during the design process, and customized HDL descriptions of the IC design are generated through the use of scripts based on the user-edited instruction set and inputs. The customized HDL description can then be used as the basis for generating “makefiles” for purposes of simulation and/or logic level synthesis. The method further affords the ability to generate an HDL model of a complete device, such as a microprocessor or DSP. A computer program implementing the aforementioned method and a hardware system for running the computer program are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: ARC International
    Inventors: James Robert Howard Hakewill, Mohammed Noshad Khan, Edward Plowman
  • Patent number: 6801882
    Abstract: An algorithm programmed into a computer permits the computer to automatically generate a two-dimensional profile curve of an electronically represented three-dimensional solid model without creating separate intersecting planes extending through the three-dimensional solid. The computer is configured to query the three-dimensional solid to identify faces on the three-dimensional solid. The query of the solid begins after a face edge is identified as a seed face and continues from the identified face to each adjacent revolved face circumscribing the solid. As each revolved face is located, a representative curve for the face is created in the two-dimensional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ruben E. Fairman
  • Patent number: 6792398
    Abstract: A user of a modeling application modifies an initial virtual object using a sketch drawn on one or more construction planes. Typically, construction planes are connected by an axis that intersects the virtual object. The user can draw a sketch on each construction plane, and the modeling application interpolates a shape along the axis between the sketches to determine what material in the virtual object is to be removed from it. In this manner, material may be removed to create a recess or hole in the virtual object or otherwise to slice away material from the object. A user can use two or more axes and construction planes to produce complex shapes from the initial virtual object. A user can also select a portion of a virtual object and mirror the selected portion. Modifications that the user makes in the selected portion are made correspondingly in the mirrored portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: SensAble Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Handley, Marc Midura, Bradley Payne, Walter A. Aviles, Thomas H. Massie, Walter C. Shannon, III
  • Patent number: 6778947
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of designing and/or visualizing at least one roll/felt combination in the wet press of a paper or cardboard making machine, wherein initially a press configuration is selected from a set offered by a computer system. Thereafter, one of the presses of the respective press configuration is selected. Thereupon the current dewatering performance of the selected press is calculated and the result if displayed. Thereafter, the machine parameters and/or roll parameters of the respective selected press are altered while the dewatering performance of the respective roll/felt combination of the press is continuously calculated anew and is displayed at least in part as a trend indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Stowe Woodward AG
    Inventor: Franz Danzler
  • Patent number: 6763324
    Abstract: An integrated engineering analysis system that determines at least one final output value in response to at least one initial input value. A first subprocesses provides at least one output value in response to the initial input value. A plurality of subprocesses provide a plurality of output values in response to the output values of the first subprocess. The plurality of output values and the output value of the first subprocess are inputted into at least one of the plurality of subprocesses. A command code executes each of the plurality of subprocesses in response to the output values and determines which one of the plurality of subprocesses to run and a final subprocess provides a final output. The final output is the result of a plurality of calculations executed by the plurality of subprocesses and the command code compares the final output with the initial input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert N. Pittman, Scott J. Dennison, Kenneth E. Seitzer, John D. Bibler, Stephen P. Schrantz, John C. Blanton, Mir M. Ali, Robert J. Maffeo, James C. Dudley, David M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6714900
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for generating a shell mold for castings, in which the shell mold is described from a multiplicity of finite volume elements and/or surface elements which are connected to one another via node points and which together form a mesh points for describing the surface of the shell mold. First, the real surface geometry of the casting is recorded and generated in the form of a coherent base mesh. Then, an approximated simulation of the real surface geometry is complied by means of finite volume elements and/or surface elements. This is followed by the determination of in each case one shell node point for each node point contained in the base mesh and the generation of shell vectors and a new surface element which is positioned above each shell node point and in each case defines a volume element which, together with all the other newly formed volume elements, leads to a first layer of the shell mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Frank Busse, Norbert Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6687660
    Abstract: A reservoir in payrock in analysed using finite element simulation. A reservoir engineer selects an appropriate model from a set of template models, each including a set of polygons in plan and layers in elevation. The polygons are defined in objects instantiated from classes by control points and the layers as depth values of control points. A pattern object sweeps rotationally about a wellbore in a wellbore polygon to define a pattern of elements, fewer in number with distance from the wellbore. A polygon object also sweeps linearly from a generator line in the direction of a base line. The generator and base lines correspond to polygon boundaries. Finite element simulation is performed with the model so derived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Kepler Research & Development Limited
    Inventors: James Robinson, John Campbell
  • Patent number: 6629065
    Abstract: Apparata and methods for rapid design of objects/shapes in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools and in Virtual Reality (VR) environments are described. The underlying geometric representation of the objects within the design tool is optimized so that design activities such as modeling, editing, rendering, etc. can be processed extremely rapidly, thereby enhancing the response time of the design tool. The representation is preferably provided in two parts, which may be referred to as a “design intent model” and a “shape model”. The design intent model is a higher-level representation wherein elements are arranged in hierarchical parent-child relationships which record the elements' assembly sequence. The shape model is a lower-level representation storing more detailed information about the elements and their relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Rajit Gadh, Tushar H. Dani
  • Patent number: 6618695
    Abstract: Method for gradually deforming, totally or locally, a Gaussian or similar type stochastic model of a heterogeneous medium such as an underground zone, constrained by a series of parameters relative to the structure of the medium. The method comprises drawing a number p, at least equal to two, of independent realizations of at least part of the selected medium model from all the possible realizations, and linear combination of these p realizations with p coefficients such that the sum of their squares is equal to 1. This linear combination constitutes a new realization of the stochastic model and it gradually deforms when the p coefficients are gradually modified. More generally, the method can comprise several iterative gradual deformation stages, with combination at each stage of a composite realization obtained at the previous stage with q new independent realizations drawn from all the realizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, ELF Ep
    Inventors: Lin-Ying Hu, André Haas, Frédéric Roggero