Patents by Inventor Melville R. Smart

Melville R. Smart 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: 4146835
    Abstract: In integrated circuits having multiple gate functions, the difference between the propagation delay times of each of the gate functions is often important in that it affects the reliability of the circuits. To determine these delay differences, input signals are applied simultaneously to the multiple gate functions. The output signals of the gate functions are monitored, and a reference signal is generated at the time of sensing the first output signal. This reference signal is indicative of the fastest propagation delay time. A delay time equal to the maximum allowable differential delay time between the fastest propagation delay time and the slowest propagation delay time is added to the reference signal. The delayed reference signal is then compared with the gate function propagation delay time to determine if any of the gate function delays are longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Western Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Chnapko, Richard S. Lewis, Livio R. Melatti, Melville R. Smart