Patents by Inventor John W. Stedman

John W. Stedman 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: 10552565
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor G. Pikus, Laurence Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20170147732
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor G. Pikus, Laurence Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Patent number: 9652574
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor G. Pikus, Laurence W. Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Patent number: 9507902
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mentor Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor G. Pikus, Laurence W. Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20110289471
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor G. Pikus, Laurence W. Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20100023905
    Abstract: A layout design for a portion of a microdevice design is partitioned into sections or “bins.” Next, a critical area value is estimated for one or more of the bins. One or more of these estimated bins is then selected for a more detailed analysis. After the estimated bins have been selected, a detailed critical area analysis of the selected bins is performed. Once the actual critical area for each of the estimated bins has been determined, the actual critical areas for selected estimated bins are correlated with those bin's corresponding estimated values. By correlating the actual critical areas of selected estimated bin to those bin's corresponding estimated values, a mapping function can be determined. After the mapping function has been determined, it is applied to the estimated values for each of the remaining bins of the layout design (i.e., the bins for which an actual critical area have not yet been determined) to obtain critical area information for the layout design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Fedor G. Pikus, John W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20090077506
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for optimizing the pattern density in the circuit layout design of a circuit layer. A layer in circuit design is analyzed to define empty regions that can be filled with fill polygons (referred to hereafter as “fill” regions). Next, a pattern of fill polygons is generated. After the fill polygons have been defined, the layout design for the layer is divided into separate areas or “windows,” and a target density for each window is determined. Once this target density for the window has been determined, the fill polygons required to most closely approach this target density are generated and added to the circuit layout design. This process may be repeated with progressively different (e.g., smaller) fill polygons, until each window meets or exceeds both the specified minimum density and complies with the specified maximum density gradient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Eugene Anikin, Fedor Pikus, Laurence Grodd, David A. Abercrombie, John W. Stedman
  • Publication number: 20090019351
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant. The system is extensible without programming, allowing new applicant attributes to be readily incorporated into the system and allowing the content and appearance of the application to be readily changed by changing the description file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: COLLEGENET, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL D. HITCHCOCK, James H. Wolfston, JR., John W. Stedman, Andree J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Patent number: 7376891
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant. The system is extensible without programming, allowing new applicant attributes to be readily incorporated into the system and allowing the content and appearance of the application to be readily changed by changing the description file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Collegenet, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchock, James H. Wolfston, Jr., John W. Stedman, Andreè{grave over ( )} J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Publication number: 20040199863
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchcock, James H. Wolfston, John W. Stedman, Andree J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Publication number: 20030145018
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchcock, James H. Wolfston,, John W. Stedman, Andree J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Patent number: 6460042
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant. The system is extensible without programming, allowing new applicant attributes to be readily incorporated into the system and allowing the content and appearance of the application to be readily changed by changing the description file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: CollegeNET, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchcock, James H. Wolfston, Jr., John W. Stedman, Andreè J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Publication number: 20020120628
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. Before applying, an applicant opens an account with a third party application servicer. After the applicant completes an application for one institution, the data is saved in a data base and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. The form for each institution is created from a form description file. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchcock, James H. Wolfston,, John W. Stedman, Andree J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price
  • Patent number: 6345278
    Abstract: A forms engine allows data sharing between customizable on-line forms, such as college admissions applications. After an applicant completes an application, the data is saved in a database and automatically populates fields in subsequent application forms. Each form is branded for its institution and forms for different institutions differ in appearance and content so that the presence of the third party servicer is transparent to the applicant. The system is extensible without programming, allowing new applicant attributes to be readily incorporated into the system and allowing the content and appearance of the application to be readily changed by changing the description file. Information stored about each attribute allows the specification of data validation rules and data sharing and grouping rules, as well as dependency rules that permit application page content to depend on applicant's responses on a previous page.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: CollegeNET, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hitchcock, James H. Wolfston, Jr., John W. Stedman, Andreè J. Hertz, Raymond L. Price