Patents by Inventor Steven Ross Ferguson

Steven Ross Ferguson 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: 8006153
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided to utilize built-in self test (BIST) latches for multiple purposes. Conventionally, BIST latches are single purpose. Hence, separate latches are utilized for array built-in self test (ABIST) and logic built-in self test (LBIST) operations. By having the separate latches, though, a substantial amount area is lost. Therefore, to better utilize the latches and the area, ABIST latches are reconfigured to utilize some previously unused ports to allow for multiple uses for the latches, such as for LBIST.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Ross Ferguson, Garrett Stephen Koch, Osamu Takahashi, Michael Brian White
  • Patent number: 7574642
    Abstract: A method is provided to utilize built-in self test (BIST) latches for multiple purposes. Conventionally, BIST latches are single purpose. Hence, separate latches are utilized for array built-in self test (ABIST) and logic built-in self test (LBIST) operations. By having the separate latches, though, a substantial amount area is lost. Therefore, to better utilize the latches and the area, ABIST latches are reconfigured to utilize some previously unused ports to allow for multiple uses for the latches, such as for LBIST.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Ross Ferguson, Garrett Stephen Koch, Osamu Takahashi, Michael Brian White
  • Publication number: 20080313512
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program are provided to utilize built-in self test (BIST) latches for multiple purposes. Conventionally, BIST latches are single purpose. Hence, separate latches are utilized for array built-in self test (ABIST) and logic built-in self test (LBIST) operations. By having the separate latches, though, a substantial amount area is lost. Therefore, to better utilize the latches and the area, ABIST latches are reconfigured to utilize some previously unused ports to allow for multiple uses for the latches, such as for LBIST.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Ross Ferguson, Garrett Stephen Koch, Osamu Takahashi, Michael Brian White
  • Patent number: 7233188
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: producing a control signal at a first substantially steady state logic level indicative of a sleep mode, and at a second substantially steady state logic level indicative of a normal mode; producing a gate signal that is at a substantially steady state null level when the control signal is at the first logic level, and that oscillates at a local clock frequency when the control signal is at the second logic level; producing a local clock signal from a system clock signal as a function of the gate signal; and interposing at least one signal propagation latch circuit between an origin of the control signal and the location at which the gate signal is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Chiaki Takano, Daniel Lawrence Stasiak, Nathan Paul Chelstrom, Steven Ross Ferguson