Patents by Inventor Christophe Gauthron

Christophe Gauthron 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: 9684760
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Publication number: 20160125122
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 9262557
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Publication number: 20130239084
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 8418121
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 8060847
    Abstract: An edge clock model is used to capture states from a logic-level simulation of a circuit description. The states are captured at clock edges, or transitions, according to an edge clock model based on a clock specification for the circuit description. The captured states and associated attributes are used in formal verification of the circuit description. This approach helps to reduce or eliminate inaccuracies and other issues with other clock models such as a phase clock model. In one embodiment, a phase clock model can be used in addition to the edge clock model. In another embodiment, the edge clock states can be used to generate states according to different clock models, such as the phase clock model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: James Andrew Garrard Seawright, Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron
  • Publication number: 20110138346
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 7890897
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Publication number: 20090144684
    Abstract: An edge clock model is used to capture states from a logic-level simulation of a circuit description. The states are captured at clock edges, or transitions, according to an edge clock model based on a clock specification for the circuit description. The captured states and associated attributes are used in formal verification of the circuit description. This approach helps to reduce or eliminate inaccuracies and other issues with other clock models such as a phase clock model. In one embodiment, a phase clock model can be used in addition to the edge clock model. In another embodiment, the edge clock states can be used to generate states according to different clock models, such as the phase clock model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corp.
    Inventors: James Andrew Garrard Seawright, Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron
  • Patent number: 7487483
    Abstract: An edge clock model is used to capture states from a logic-level simulation of a circuit description. The states are captured at clock edges, or transitions, according to an edge clock model based on a clock specification for the circuit description. The captured states and associated attributes are used in formal verification of the circuit description. This approach helps to reduce or eliminate inaccuracies and other issues with other clock models such as a phase clock model. In one embodiment, a phase clock model can be used in addition to the edge clock model. In another embodiment, the edge clock states can be used to generate states according to different clock models, such as the phase clock model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventors: James Andrew Garrard Seawright, Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron
  • Publication number: 20080066032
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: MENTOR GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Ho, Ping Yeung, Kalyana Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 7318205
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Publication number: 20070299648
    Abstract: A computer is programmed in accordance with the invention to automatically analyze a digital circuit, to check if the digital circuit can enter a target state starting from a start state, by reusing information learned during a another analysis, checking if the same digital circuit can enter the same or different target state from a different start state. Use of learned information in accordance with the invention simplifies the analysis of the digital circuit (e.g. by allowing skipping one or more analysis acts). The learned information may be stored in a database. Depending on the embodiment, the two or more analyses may check on operation of the digital circuit for the same or different numbers of cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Jeremy Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Clark Barrett, Lawrence Widdoes
  • Publication number: 20070271536
    Abstract: An edge clock model is used to capture states from a logic-level simulation of a circuit description. The states are captured at clock edges, or transitions, according to an edge clock model based on a clock specification for the circuit description. The captured states and associated attributes are used in formal verification of the circuit description. This approach helps to reduce or eliminate inaccuracies and other issues with other clock models such as a phase clock model. In one embodiment, a phase clock model can be used in addition to the edge clock model. In another embodiment, the edge clock states can be used to generate states according to different clock models, such as the phase clock model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corp.
    Inventors: James Andrew Garrard Seawright, Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron
  • Publication number: 20050081169
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Jeremy Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Ho, Ping Yeung, Kalyana Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 6848088
    Abstract: The amount of analysis performed in determining the validity of a property of a digital circuit is measured concurrent with performance of the analysis, and provided as an output when a true/false answer cannot be provided e.g. when stopped due to resource constraints. In some embodiments, a measure of value N indicates that a given property that is being checked will not be violated within a distance N from an initial state from which the analysis started. Therefore, in such embodiments, a measure of value N indicated that the analysis has implicitly or explicitly covered every possible excursion of length N from the initial state, and formally proved that no counter-example is possible within this length N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Rutledge Levitt, Christophe Gauthron, Chian-Min Richard Ho, Ping Fai Yeung, Kalyana C. Mulam, Ramesh Sathianathan
  • Patent number: 5638290
    Abstract: A method for removing the critical false paths takes place during logic optimization. It is based on a path-constrained redundancy removal algorithm. This path-constrained redundancy removal algorithm automatically finds that a path node does not affect the behavior of the path output and so determines a critical path. This method is iteratively repeated for as long as this critical path is false.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold Ginetti, Christophe Gauthron
  • Patent number: 5481469
    Abstract: A method for automatic power vector generation for sequential circuits produces input vectors for a power simulation required for accurate calculation of power dissipation of logic elements. More particularly, a worst-case-power-consumption logic vector pair for a sequential circuit is automatically generated by determining the worst-case-power-consumption logic vector pair, the second worst-case-power-consumption logic vector pair, up to the Nth worst-case-power-consumption logic vector pair in the combinational logic portion of the sequential circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Brasen, Christophe Gauthron