Patents by Inventor Robert W. Proulx

Robert W. Proulx 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: 6234689
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for accessing a user defined custom routine through a graphical interface of an application program. The method comprises the steps of: (a) linking the user defined custom routine to the application program; (b) displaying a means for accessing the user defined custom routine on a graphical interface; and (c) transferring control to the user defined custom routine when a user activates the means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: John G. Rohrbaugh, Thomas H. Baker, Michael J. Bennett, Mercedes E. Gil, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5668818
    Abstract: A scan controllable, programmable fuse circuit is provided to enable testing of an integrated circuit in its final configuration before blowing any of the fuses of the programmable fuse circuits. This is achieved by incorporating a scannable latch that is connected to the output of a programmable fuse circuit and is configured for loading the output value of the programmable fuse circuit. The output value is then latched to the output of the scannable latch. Alternatively, a programmed output value can be scanned into the scannable latch and then latched to the output of the scannable latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: Michael J. Bennett, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5663902
    Abstract: A programmable fuse circuit is provided with a disabling static current path. The fuse logic circuit includes a controllable switch, load device, and at least one fuse, all of which are connected in a series so as to share a static current path. The controllable switch is preferably a transistor and can be selectively controlled to enable or disable the current path of the programmable fuse circuit. Therefore, by providing the ability to disable the static current path of programmable fuse circuit without having to blow the fuse makes the programmable fuse circuit static current testable. Other applications for the programmable fuse circuit include, for instance, providing a serial number to integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Bennett, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5495578
    Abstract: A system comprises a flag interface module, a flag query having a selectable value based on a user authorization level, a query communicator, and a flag value communicator for communicating a new flag value from the flag interface module to a test program in response to the query communicator that enables a user to modify an execution sequence [e.g., modifying the flow] of the test program executing on a computer controlling a testing system. The execution sequence of the test program is modified only if the user has a proper authorization level. The execution sequence is modified by an authorized user without requiring the test program to be recompiled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John G. Rohrbaugh, Thomas H. Baker, Michael J. Bennett, Mercedes E. Gil, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5400263
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for specifying test flow and binning of an integrated circuit part in an integrated circuit tester. The method comprises the steps of receiving descriptions of the tests, receiving test flow statements indicating when the tests are to be executed, receiving binning statements, executing the tests as indicated by the test flow statements, and binning the IC device as indicated by the results of the tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John G. Rohrbaugh, Thomas H. Baker, Michael J. Bennett, Mercedes E. Gil, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5390131
    Abstract: The invention is a method for displaying wafer test results from an integrated circuit tester in real time. The method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving wafer dimensions and die dimensions from a wafer handler; (b) creating a template representative of a wafer having cells representative of a die from the wafer dimensions and the die dimensions; (c) displaying the template; (d) invoking a tester to test a selected die of a selected wafer; (e) receiving test results from the tester; (f) displaying the test results on a selected cell which corresponds to the selected die; and (g) repeating steps (d)-(f) as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John G. Rohrbaugh, Thomas H. Baker, Michael J. Bennett, Mercedes E. Gil, Robert W. Proulx
  • Patent number: 5381344
    Abstract: The invention is a method for enabling a user to enter wafer numbers into a computer-based integrated circuit production test system. The method comprises the steps of: (a) prompting the user for the wafer numbers; (b) displaying the wafer numbers in a graphical representation of a wafer cassette; (c) enabling the user to edit the wafer numbers on the graphical representation; and (d) transmitting the wafer numbers to the computer-based IC production test system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: John G. Rohrbaugh, Thomas H. Baker, Michael J. Bennett, Mercedes P. Gil, Robert W. Proulx