Patents by Inventor Robert M. Mesnard

Robert M. Mesnard 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: 5548715
    Abstract: This invention teaches a system (10) and method for analyzing a fault within a model of a logic circuit. The method includes the computer executed steps of (a) building a fault model of the circuit model; (b) for each modelled fault that is determined to be untestable, (b) building a discrete node set comprised of nodes of the circuit model that are relevant to the untestable fault; and (c) outputting the discrete node set for analysis. The step of building a fault model includes a step of classifying the untestable faults into at least three categories including unobservable faults, excitation conflict faults, and reverse and forward implication (RFI) conflict faults. Faults from each of these three classifications are processed differently so as to build a relevant discrete node set for subsequent analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Maloney, Robert M. Mesnard, Joseph M. Swenton
  • Patent number: 5220658
    Abstract: A system for testing certain attributes (i.e., performance and usability) of an interactive system program. A memory device stores data representative of interactive commands generated by a user. A device is also provided for executing an emulator overlay connected to the memory device for receiving data therefrom and modifying it in subsequent transmission. The emulator overlay has a time measuring device associated with it for determining performance of an interactive system program. A device is also provided for storing and executing an interactive system program connected to the emulator overlay. Finally, another memory device is provided for storing the data representative of system program performance. The system is capable of capturing human factors data, including screen images and associated keystrokes entered during a user session, measuring time intervals between the screen images and keystrokes, and providing such data to a system analyst to determine usability of host computer resident software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randal H. Kerr, Robert M. Mesnard
  • Patent number: 5121497
    Abstract: A reconfigurable automatic tasking system. A host system is capable of executing interactively initiated operations or tasks. A device is provided for executing a program having an interfacing program loaded therein. The interfacing program is adapted to define and to execute a task repeatedly. An interface is connected to the host system and to the device for executing a program that issues commands to and receives data from the host. An independent program is connected to the task that is defined by the interfacing program. This independent program adds generality to the interfacing program after the task has been defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randal H. Kerr, Robert M. Mesnard
  • Patent number: 5086393
    Abstract: A system for testing certain attributes (i.e., performance and usability) of an interactive system program. A memory device stores data representative of interactive commands generated by a user. A device is also provided for executing an emulator overlay connected to the memory device for receiving data therefrom and modifying it in subsequent transmission. The emulator overlay has a time measuring device associated with it for determining performance of an interactive system program. A device is also provided for storing and executing an interactive system program connected to the emulator overlay. Finally, another memory device is provided for storing the data representative of system program performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Randal H. Kerr, Robert M. Mesnard
  • Patent number: 4971783
    Abstract: A tissue holding and processing technique suitable for immunofluorescence, histochemical, and light microscopic analysis of the same specimen. The tissue is first placed in formol sucrose, and then transferred to gum sucrose. The tissue is subsequently washed in phosphate buffered saline, then acetone-water, then acetone, and finally in xylene. Finally, the tissue is embedded in paraffin. Tissue processed according to the present invention may be stored indefinitely in the gum sucrose or paraffin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: The University of VA Alumni Patents Foundation
    Inventors: W. Kline Bolton, Robert M. Mesnard
  • Patent number: 4772206
    Abstract: A system for presenting material in a tutorial and reference format. The system has a mechanism for capturing, creating and storing data representative of images for display to user and a mechanism for capturing, creating and storing data representative of commands for the user. A driver is connected to the storage mechanism for receiving data and for generating a simulation. The driver has a switching mechanism for selecting between a plurality of operational modes. The switching mechanism can be operated by the user at any time. A presentation device is connected to the driver for receiving and displaying the simulation.The present invention is useful for many types of subjects, but most useful for learning how to use computer and software (e.g., editors, spreadsheets, word processors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randal H. Kerr, Robert M. Mesnard
  • Patent number: 4696003
    Abstract: A method for testing host resident interactive software. The host resident interactive software is first executed while an interactive test case if captured. The test case is then executed on another version of the interactive software. The differences between the versions of the interactive software are detected and subsequently presented. Another function of the method of the present invention is to allow complete documentation of perceived errors in host resident interactive software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randal H. Kerr, Robert M. Mesnard