Patents by Inventor William R. Creek

William R. Creek 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: 8207725
    Abstract: A tester includes a device under test (DUT) power supply (DPS) with and input and output includes an amplifier configured to set an output voltage of the DPS output equal to an input voltage for the DPS. The DPS has a first output stage coupled to the amplifier and configured to source and sink current at the output of the DPS between a first voltage rail and a third voltage rail. The DPS has a second output stage coupled to the amplifier and configured to source and sink current to the output of the DPS between a second voltage rail and the third voltage rail. A selection device is configured to enable the first and second output stages based on a selection input signal. The selection device is situated outside of the first and the second output stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Sullivan, Steven R. Bristow, William R. Creek, Jeffrey Allen King
  • Patent number: 6903562
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a micromachine relay is provided. A pin controller comprises at least one spring pin designed to movably couple the pin controller to a device under test (DUT) to provide signals to the DUT. The pin controller further includes a micromachine relay coupled to the at least one spring pin to control the movement of the at least one spring pin and an integrated circuit for controlling the micromachine relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, William R. Creek
  • Patent number: 6703825
    Abstract: An apparatus to receive a response signal sent from a device under test. The apparatus includes pin electronics to identify a response signal contained in a composite signal. The composite signal is a composite, or sum, of the response signal and a test signal. The pin electronics has a driver to send the test signal to the device under test, and a receiver to receive the composite signal and to separate the response signal from the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Creek, Mark Deome, R. Warren Necoechea
  • Patent number: 6700396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a micromachine relay is provided. A pin controller comprises at least one spring pin designed to movably couple the pin controller to a device under test (DUT) to provide signals to the DUT. The pin controller further includes a micromachine relay coupled to the at least one spring pin to control the movement of the at least one spring pin and an integrated circuit for controlling the micromachine relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, William R. Creek
  • Patent number: 6625557
    Abstract: A mixed signal integrated circuit testing system includes a system controller connected to a test head for controlling the testing operations of the mixed signal integrated circuit testing system. The test head is adapted to support a wide combination of both the analog and digital circuit testing modules. A DUT board, typically configured for a specific IC or family of ICs, is used to connect the circuit testing modules to the IC. The DUT board is connected to a DUT board interface that includes an analog DUT board interface adapter and a digital DUT board interface adapter. The digital DUT board interface adapter is connected directly to the digital circuit testing modules. The analog DUT board interface adapter is connected to a system configuration module that provides analog loading and conditioning circuitry as well as other circuitry that can be customized for testing specific ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventors: Philip E. Perkins, William R. Creek, David W. Curry
  • Patent number: 6563298
    Abstract: An apparatus to receive a response signal sent from a device under test. The apparatus includes pin electronics to identify a response signal contained in a composite signal. The composite signal is a composite, or sum, of the response signal and a test signal. The pin electronics has a driver to send the test signal to the device under test, and a receiver to receive the composite signal and to separate the response signal from the composite signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Creek, Mark Deome, R. Warren Necoechea
  • Patent number: 6211723
    Abstract: A programmable load circuit operable to generate a plurality of test signals is described. The programmable load circuit comprises a diode bridge coupled between an input and an output. The diode bridge compares the voltage on the input to the voltage on the output. The programmable load circuit also comprises a plurality of current sources. A first set of the plurality of current sources are coupled to intermediate nodes of the diode bridge. Additionally, the programmable load circuit comprises a switching circuit coupled between the intermediate nodes of the diode bridge and a second set of the plurality of current sources. Furthermore, the programmable load circuit also comprises a load regulator coupled to the output and the intermediate nodes of the diode bridge. The load regulator is configured to reduce leakage current on the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: LTX Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Creek
  • Patent number: 5771002
    Abstract: A tracking system comprising multiple satellite units and a master unit for selectively and individually locating each satellite unit. Each satellite unit receives a search signal from the master unit and transmits a response signal to the master unit when the search signal contains a search identity code which matches a unique identity code of the satellite unit. The master unit has user controls for selecting any one of the satellite units to be located and a memory for storing the unique identity code of each satellite unit. The master unit also has an indicator circuit for indicating the strength of the response signal and a display and speaker for visually and audibly indicating the strength to a user. The master unit is programmed such that when the user selects one of satellite units to be located, the master unit transmits a search signal having a search identity code which matches the unique identity code of the selected satellite unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: William R. Creek, Marvin L. Wahl, Bryan L. Clausen, Sr., Mery Clausen, Bryan Clausen, Jr.