Patents by Inventor Steven P. Koch

Steven P. Koch 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: 6426641
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit on a chip with a single I/O node whose output generally corresponds to a performance level of the IC chip. The single I/O node provides an easy access and testing point for evaluating chip performance. The I/O node is used for coupling to the oscillator circuit, and for activating and monitoring its oscillating output signal. The single I/O node may be accessed at the wafer level, after packaging, or in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven P. Koch, Donald L. Wheater, Larry Wissel
  • Patent number: 6140846
    Abstract: A driver circuit has an input terminal at which a first signal having a first voltage swing is applied, and an output terminal at which: (i) a second signal having a second voltage swing is provided to external circuitry, and (ii) a third signal having a third voltage swing is received from the external circuitry. A level shifter circuit is coupled to the input terminal and translates the first signal to the second signal. The level shifter circuit includes circuitry which regulates the switching rate of the driver circuit. An output circuit is coupled between the level shifter circuit and the output terminal which drives the external circuitry with the second signal received from the level shifter circuit. The output circuit has a floating well, and a bias circuit is coupled between the output terminal and the well of the output circuit. The bias circuit biases the well proportional to the third voltage swing when the third signal is received at the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Francis Chan, Steven P. Koch, Douglas W. Stout