Patents by Inventor Michael T. Saunders

Michael T. Saunders 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: 8347022
    Abstract: A method comprises providing a golden ROM unit comprising known good ROM code. The golden ROM is coupled to a ROM socket of a target system. The target system is booted, wherein booting comprises providing power to the target system and independently providing power to the ROM socket. The known good ROM code is loaded from the golden ROM to a system memory of the target system. Power is removed from the ROM socket and the golden ROM is decoupled from the ROM socket. A first subject ROM is coupled to the ROM socket. Power is provided to the ROM socket and the first subject ROM is programmed with the known good ROM code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Berry, Michael Criscolo, Michael T. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20100161921
    Abstract: A method comprises providing a golden ROM unit comprising known good ROM code. The golden ROM is coupled to a ROM socket of a target system. The target system is booted, wherein booting comprises providing power to the target system and independently providing power to the ROM socket. The known good ROM code is loaded from the golden ROM to a system memory of the target system. Power is removed from the ROM socket and the golden ROM is decoupled from the ROM socket. A first subject ROM is coupled to the ROM socket. Power is provided to the ROM socket and the first subject ROM is programmed with the known good ROM code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert W. Berry, JR., Michael Criscolo, Michael T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 7689865
    Abstract: A method, device, system, and computer program product for enabling advanced control of debugging processes on a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) IEEE 1149.1 capable device (or system under test (SUT)). Middlesoft Commander is provided within a JTAG-enabled (or JTAG) POD, which is connected to both a host system executing debugging software and the SUT. The communication between the POD and the SUT is enabled with a pair of JTAG interfaces bridging the connection between the POD and the SUT. Middlesoft Commander comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert high level commands (debug packets) received from (or generated by) the host system into JTAG commands. These JTAG commands are forwarded to the SUT. Middlesoft Commander further comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert the JTAG data received from the SUT into commands recognizable by the host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Heinz Baier, Christopher R. Conley, Brian Flachs, Michael T. Saunders, Steven J. Smolski
  • Patent number: 7620828
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium are presented for dynamically selecting a clock signal used by a peripheral device that is coupled to a motherboard. When the motherboard is powered off, a clock selector sends the peripheral device an internal clock signal from the peripheral device's own internal clock controller. When the motherboard powers up, the clock selector sends the peripheral device an external clock signal from the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Conley, Jr., Michael Criscolo, Michael T. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20080294822
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium are presented for dynamically selecting a clock signal used by a peripheral device that is coupled to a motherboard. When the motherboard is powered off, a clock selector sends the peripheral device an internal clock signal from the peripheral device's own internal clock controller. When the motherboard powers up, the clock selector sends the peripheral device an external clock signal from the motherboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER R. CONLEY, Michael Criscolo, Michael T. Saunders
  • Patent number: 7457974
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-usable medium are presented for dynamically selecting a clock signal used by a peripheral device that is coupled to a motherboard. When the motherboard is powered off, a clock selector sends the peripheral device an internal clock signal from the peripheral device's own internal clock controller. When the motherboard powers up, the clock selector sends the peripheral device an external clock signal from the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Conley, Michael Criscolo, Michael T. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20080126895
    Abstract: A method, device, system, and computer program product for enabling advanced control of debugging processes on a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) IEEE 1149.1 capable device (or system under test (SUT)). Middlesoft Commander is provided within a JTAG-enabled (or JTAG) POD, which is connected to both a host system executing debugging software and the SUT. The communication between the POD and the SUT is enabled with a pair of JTAG interfaces bridging the connection between the POD and the SUT. Middlesoft Commander comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert high level commands (debug packets) received from (or generated by) the host system into JTAG commands. These JTAG commands are forwarded to the SUT. Middlesoft Commander further comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert the JTAG data received from the SUT into commands recognizable by the host system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Heinz Baier, Christopher R. Conley, Brian Flachs, Michael T. Saunders, Steven J. Smolski
  • Publication number: 20080126655
    Abstract: A system for integrating multiple electrical system testing functions into a single peripheral component interconnect (PCI) card. The functions of system bring-up and debug are integrated into a single PCI card, which utilizes an operating system and a set of industry standard interfaces to interconnect with standard lab instrumentation. The integrated PCI card utilizes an embedded high performance microprocessor and a compact operating system to provide control over: system-under-test (SUT) power on/off; system device sequencing via programmable General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO); system parametric control (e.g. voltage, temperature, and frequency); system parametric measurement; system debug; and remote control operation via internet interface. In one embodiment, the integrated PCI card comprises the instrumentation controller, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) Debugger, SUT system controller, and a computer-controlled GPIO card in a single, self aware, half-slot PCI card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: HEINZ BAIER, ROBERT W. BERRY, CHRISTOPHER R. CONLEY, MICHAEL CRISCOLO, CHRISTOPHER J. KURUTS, MICHAEL T. SAUNDERS, STEVEN J. SMOLSKI