Patents by Inventor Ivan James Fontenot

Ivan James Fontenot 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: 6076177
    Abstract: Testing of a multi-module data processing system (20) includes performing a functional test on a module (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 54) concurrently with an erase operation of a non-volatile memory module (34, 36). Because the erase operation requires multiple clock cycles to complete, and little or no interaction with a tester, a set of test patterns may be run on one or more of the modules (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 54) while the erase operation is being performed. Between each test pattern, a special reset signal is provided to a reset unit (39) of a system integration unit (38). The special reset signal resets the modules (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 54), without affecting the erase operation of the flash memory module (34, 36), in order to perform each test of the modules (42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 54) from a known state. Concurrent testing in this manner reduces the time required to test a multi-module data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan James Fontenot, Thomas R. Toms