Including Program Set Up Patents (Class 702/123)
  • Patent number: 7359819
    Abstract: The testing of driver output is automated. Embodiments of the invention filter out data that is known to change between two similar outputs of a driver. By filtering this dynamic data out, the remaining data can be compared to known-good data to identify any variations which would appear in a physical manifestation (e.g., a printout) of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas V. Aiwazian, Varun Saini
  • Patent number: 7359820
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, information processing system and computer readable medium for performing a system test on a program. The method comprises creating a test plan associated with a system test. The system test is for testing a program within an environment. At least one test trigger to be monitored for during the system test is defined within the test plan. Execution of the system test on a system under test for the at least one test trigger is monitored. An occurrence of the at least one test trigger is determined. The test plan is modified to take into account the occurrence of the at least one test trigger in response to determining the occurrence. Execution of the system test is continued based on the modified test plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Browne, Andrew P. Wack, Monica J. Lemay, Derwin D. Gavin
  • Patent number: 7356804
    Abstract: Techniques for testing production code include providing a common source unit having production source code and test source code, the test source code having test methods for testing the production source code. Executable production code is produced based on the production source code and executable test code is produced based on the test source code. A global switch specifies whether to load the executable test code with the executable production code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: SAP Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Blumenthal, Klaus Ziegler, Juergen Staader, Andreas Simon Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20080082285
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, performing an in-system (or in-the-field) self-test on a first core of a multi-core (or multi-CPU) processor to obtain at a value for at least one operational parameter of the first core, storing the value for the at least one operational parameter of the first core, testing, under control of the first core, at least one of a remaining set of cores of the multi-core processor to determine a value for the at least one operational parameter for the at least one core of the remaining set of cores, and testing, under control of the at least one core of the remaining set of cores, the first core to determine a value for the at least one operational parameter for the first core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Samie B. Samaan, Victor Zia, Michael Tripp
  • Patent number: 7324912
    Abstract: A method and system for performing diagnostics and validation operations on a device under test uses near natural language commands. A host machine controls the testing either locally or remotely, such as through the Internet. Various options for running a test or battery of tests on the device under test include entering commands through a prompt line on a graphical user interface, reading commands from a file, or manipulating graphical objects representing components or devices and operations on a graphical user interface. A script may serve as a metric to determine the successfulness of a test or battery of tests of the device under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Gygi, Andrew Hadley, Erik Paulsen
  • Patent number: 7324911
    Abstract: A business method for comprehensively planning the installation into a building of various dissimilar types of electrical cables. A feature of the method is that each individual cable, when installed in place, is then tested for the level of performance which will be required of that cable in that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Vogel, Lee A. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20080004827
    Abstract: Calculating, detecting, observing, and validating operating characteristics, conditions, and metrics, especially quality of service metrics, of a system. The quality of service metrics are reported and utilized to manage the service. The various elements of the system for generating the quality of service metrics are integrated, with the same or substantially the same schema and metadata in the databases management systems of the externalized metric configuration data database, and the raw transaction data database. There is extensive code reuse, with the various engines, as the standard requirements methodology engine and thee standardized extensible calculation engine utilizing the same classes or objects, and as appropriate, the same function calls, interfaces, api's, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bogdan Grigoriu, Linwood Earl Loving, Donald Eugene Schaefer, Wayne A. Scott
  • Patent number: 7310581
    Abstract: A real-time bulk material analyzing system is disclosed for analyzing the elemental characteristics of bulk material passing by the system on a moving conveyor belt. An exemplary embodiment includes a source of illumination emitting white light for exciting bulk material to be analyzed, and a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer for capturing spectral reflectance from bulk material excited by the illumination source. A non-hazardous source of excitation can be used, which allows the bulk material to pass unobstructed and undisturbed through the detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Michael Mound
  • Publication number: 20070271059
    Abstract: A memory test engine performs memory tests on an embedded memory located in a device under test (DUT) simultaneous to analog tests performed by an automatic tester. The automatic tester provides coded information to the memory test engine, which includes a description of the embedded memory within the DUT. The memory test engine operates autonomous to the automatic tester; apply addresses, data and control and comparing results of the memory test to expected values. The automatic tester and the memory test engine use the same DUT data bus; and therefore, arbitrate the use of the bus of the DUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Hans Martin Vonstaudt
  • Patent number: 7295953
    Abstract: In a Web application testing method which has been configured in accordance with the present invention, a network message from one of several network clients can be intercepted. Session data in the network message can be identified and state information retrieved for the session in the Web application. An operation and corresponding associated parameters can be selected from a Web scenario template based upon the retrieved state information. Finally, operations can be invoked in the Web application, the operations corresponding to the operation and associated operational parameters selected from the Web scenario template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Cox, Gennaro A. Cuomo, Brian Keith Martin
  • Publication number: 20070260414
    Abstract: A video signal generator, employing a multi-output amplifier and a video signal connector, is physically connected to a device under test to eliminate the use of signal cables, to solve the impedance matching issue, and to reduce noise from the signal cables' exposure to high temperatures. Moreover, the video signal generator employs a video algorithm stored in a programmable microprocessor and instructions downloaded to provide on-line adjustable video patterns sets for test. The video signal generator includes the programmable microprocessor, a television encoder, a multi-output amplifier, and a video signal connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: CYBERVISION, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih Hung Wang, Chao Ning Chan, Yu Teng Lin
  • Patent number: 7286953
    Abstract: Various apparatuses, methods, computer programs, and other systems are disclosed for facilitating testing of a module. In embodiment, a method is provided that comprises the steps of creating a plurality of tasks in a computer system, each of the tasks comprising a list of commands that are sent to a plurality of test devices, the test devices comprising the module to be tested and at least one controlled device interfacing with the module during a test of an operation of the module. In addition, the tasks are organized according to a multi-level hierarchy. The tasks are executed according to an order inherent in the multi-level hierarchy, wherein the execution of each task entails communicating the commands of each task to a respective one of the test devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Li, Chirjeev Singh, Ohannes Kuftedjian, Xilin Zhu
  • Patent number: 7277827
    Abstract: A target test framework and method are provided which can enable scenario writer(s) to design and implement driver test(s) by providing a platform to build scenario-based automated tests for device(s) and device driver(s) by using a set of components designed for target testing. The framework enables scenario writer(s) to perform a set of actions across different types device(s). The framework further enables the testing of technology areas common to many targets (e.g., plug and play, power management, install/uninstall, security etc.). Additionally, the framework facilitates automatic identification and/or running of prewritten core functionality test that apply to a particular device. The framework further can allow runtime control of tests and the combining of framework components to form new device functionality tests and large scale scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Jonathan Shapiro, Dieter G. Achtelstetter, Travis J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7277810
    Abstract: A calibration engine to eliminate disconnects between both manual and automated calibration procedures. It abstracts the process of procedure development such that procedure writers produce automated procedures without being computer programmers. By organizing calibration procedure elements in a relational database format, a relational automated calibration engine (RACE) provides the mechanism whereby a single calibration procedure is executed in either a manual, automated, or semi-automated fashion. The engine operates both with and without an installed operating system and relational database server. Interfaces ensure interoperability with other laboratory software elements such as scheduling, reporting, and measurement uncertainty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard P. Schumacher, Daniel S. Cook, Winston Y. Chou, David G. Kinkade, John B. Griffith
  • Patent number: 7272528
    Abstract: A test and measurement instrument such as a Logic Analyzer, or the like, has at least one Reloadable Word Recognizer whose reference value can be loaded by a trigger machine with a current acquired data sample while data is being acquired. In a second embodiment useful for performing memory testing, the reloadable word recognizer is used in cooperation with two conventional word recognizers. In a third embodiment, a delay unit is employed to provide delayed input data words as reference words. In a fourth embodiment, an offset register and adder are used to modify the input data words before storing them. A fifth embodiment provides for substantially immediate use of base addresses of relocatable subroutines and stack-based variables recovered from a data stream acquired from a system under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Holaday, Gary K. Richmond, Donald C. Kirkpatrick
  • Patent number: 7272539
    Abstract: Unique representation, such as music or image full of originality, is generated in relation to a specific data sequence such as a telephone number. A music generation server 10 is provided with a material table TA in which material data associated with music phrases are provided in correspondence with the digits of the telephone number and the numerals thereof given at the respective digits, and such server is connected to a user's terminal, such as a PC 50 or a cellular phone 56. When a specific data acquisition program 30 is executed to acquire a telephone number as a specific data sequence from a user, a material data extraction program 32 is executed to make reference to the foregoing material table TA and extract therefrom a particular material data MD corresponding to the acquired telephone number. Then, a generation program 34 is executed to arrange such material data MD in a predetermined order and thereby generate one completed piece of music.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Sano
  • Patent number: 7269529
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus that tests whether a secure circuit is normal or not while maintaining confidentiality of the secured circuit is provided: wherein the secured circuit conducts a self-diagnostic test thereof in accordance with a self-diagnostic test start instruction signal from a CPU, and the secured circuit outputs a self-diagnostic test result signal indicating whether the secured circuit is normal or not to the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Masanobu Okabe, Masafumi Kusakawa, Kyoji Shibutani, Sumio Morioka, Asami Yoshida, Muneki Shimada, Shiho Moriai
  • Patent number: 7269525
    Abstract: A method of binning disk drives by evaluating quality metrics prior to a final quality audit is disclosed. A number of disk drives are assembled, and a plurality of quality metrics are generated for each disk drive representing a plurality of operating characteristics. The quality metrics for each disk drive are evaluated for binning the disk drives into a plurality of lots including a first lot and a second lot. A final quality audit (FQA) is performed by executing a number of write and read operations for a plurality of the disk drives in each lot and classifying each disk drive as passing or failing the FQA. If the number of disk drives that fail the FQA out of the first lot falls below a first threshold, the first lot is classified as acceptable for a first tier customer. If the number of disk drives that fail the FQA out of the second lot falls below a second threshold, the second lot is classified as acceptable for a second tier customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Gough, Steven Neal Rivkin, Jan G. Abrahamsson, Carl R. Messenger, Arun Makhija, Gordon K. Rydquist, Michael J. Cullen
  • Patent number: 7263456
    Abstract: Reconfigurable circuits with configuration data loaders are described herein. The configuration data loaders are adapted to enable on circuit finalization of configuration data provided in symbolic form, not fully resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: M2000
    Inventor: Frédéric Réblewski
  • Patent number: 7260184
    Abstract: A test system and method for scheduling and running multiple tests on a single system residing in a single test environment. The test system comprises a processor operable to receive a request to run a selected test on the system at a selected start time, and determine a time slot for the selected test. The test system is also operable to identify any scheduled tests to be run on the system within the time slot, and identify any conflicts between the selected test and any scheduled tests. If no scheduled tests are identified or if no conflicts are identified, the processor is operable to schedule the selected test to run on the system at the selected start time. If conflicts are identified, the processor is preferably operable to determine an alternative start time for the selected test that avoids any conflicts. Various exemplary embodiments of the test system and associated method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Howard, Jack Johnson, David Hoover
  • Patent number: 7254508
    Abstract: A method for use with a test system having sites that hold devices under test (DUTs) includes executing a first site loop to iterate through the sites, where the first site loop includes an instruction to program hardware associated with at least one of the sites, and executing a second site loop to process data received from the DUTs, where the second site loop and the first site loop have a same syntax.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hlotyak
  • Patent number: 7246038
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein in certain embodiments, an indicator is searched for in a computational platform, and wherein the indicator indicates an operational state of a device coupled to the computational platform. A determination is made that the indicator has been modified to disable the device. The indicator is modified to allow enablement of the disabled device. The device is tested to determine whether the device is capable of operating correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Scott P. Dubal, Patrick L. Connor, Mark V. Montecalvo
  • Publication number: 20070156367
    Abstract: A system that determines the performance of an integrated circuit (IC). During operation, the system receives probability distributions for parameters for the IC. Next, the system generates samples of the IC, wherein generating a given sample involves using the probability distribution to assign values to the parameters for components within the IC. The system then calculates output performance metrics for the samples based on the assigned values of the parameters, and uses the calculated output performance metrics to generate a distribution of output performance metrics for the samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Kayhan Kucukcakar, Ali Dasdan, Halim Damerdji
  • Patent number: 7236911
    Abstract: A subset of quality metrics as input to a disk drive failure prediction algorithm (DFPA) may be selected using a genetic algorithm. The DFPA is executed for an initially selected generation of subset quality metrics using quality metric values stored in a reference data base. At least one DFPA setting is adjusted and the DFPA executed again for the selected subset. After training the DFPA, the best DFPA setting is saved for the selected subset. A fitness score is generated for the selected subset, representing an accuracy of the DFPA relative to failure indicators stored in the reference data base. At least one genetic operator is applied in response to the fitness scores to generate a new generation of subsets. The process is repeated until a best subset of quality metrics and corresponding DFPA setting are found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ross E. Gough, Steven Neal Rivkin
  • Patent number: 7228250
    Abstract: A method for determining the variations in the sulfur content of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel when it is transported through a petroleum transportation system includes sampling fuels at various points during barge transport, pipeline transport and in terminaling operations. New procedures and special handling regiments are developed in view of how the sulfur content of ultra-low sulfur fuel may change when transported through the system in sequence and stored with other petroleum products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Co.
    Inventors: Neil G. Naiman, David D. Mack, Miriam M. Kuhn, R. Wesley Neff, Richard D. Long, Sr., Stephen C. Meredith, Charles W. Craig, Stephanie M. Breuer
  • Patent number: 7228242
    Abstract: A method and system of adaptive power control based on pre package characterization of integrated circuits. Characteristics of a specific integrated circuit are used to adaptively control power of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Transmeta Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Read, Malcolm Wing, Louis C. Kordus, Thomas E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7216052
    Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic test sequence authoring module includes a flowchart display screen, an add node display screen, an expression builder display screen, a panel editor display screen, a phrase editor display screen, and a meter editor display screen. Each of the author module display screens include a combination of selectable fields, including editable text fields, dropdown menu fields, checkbox fields, selectable bullet fields, logical display buttons, and logical links, that facilitate development of diagnostic test sequences, represented by hierarchical flowcharts, by vehicle diagnostics experts who do not have substantial knowledge of a computer programming language. A flowchart includes multiple nodes, representing individual test steps, and branches that connect the nodes. Logical expressions based on vehicle test conditions determine the flow of the test sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Fountain, Randy L. Mayes
  • Patent number: 7206711
    Abstract: A system for automatically comparing test points of a PCB includes an application server (1) and a database (6). The application server includes: a PCB file selecting module (10) for selecting a target file and a source file from the database; a test point data extracting module (12) for extracting test point data from the target file and the source file; a table generating module (14) for generating a target table according to the extracted test point data from the target file and generating a source table according to the extracted test point data from the source file; a comparing module (16) for comparing the test point data of the target table and the source table one by one and storing comparison results on those test points which have been modified; and a report generating module (18) for generating a comparison report. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Indusrty Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Yu Du, Mo-Ying Tong
  • Patent number: 7197417
    Abstract: A method for developing a test program for a semiconductor test system is disclosed. The method includes describing a test plan file in a test program language (TPL), where the test plan file describes at least one test of the test program, describing a test class file in a system program language (SPL) and a corresponding pre-header file of the test class file in the TPL, where the test class file describes an implementation of the at least one test of the test program, and generating the test program using the test plan file, the test class file, and the pre-header file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advantest America R&D Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Ankan Pramanick, Mark Elston, Ramachandran Krishnaswamy, Toshiaki Adachi
  • Patent number: 7194373
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling device testing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a local controller having a slave mode and a control mode, when in the control mode, the local controller to control testing of a device and to initiate one or more test instructions to be applied to the device, and when in the slave mode, to pass through a remote test instruction received from a remote controller to a tester. The system further comprises the tester, communicatively coupled to the local controller, to apply one of the one or more test instructions and the remote test instruction to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Verigy Pte. Ltd,
    Inventor: Robert S. Kolman
  • Patent number: 7191361
    Abstract: A system and method for asynchronous execution of a test executive subsequence. A first test executive sequence (calling sequence) may be created and configured to asynchronously call a second test executive sequence (subsequence). In one embodiment, a “subsequence call” step may be included in the first test executive sequence, wherein the subsequence call step is operable to asynchronously call the second test executive sequence when the subsequence call step is executed. In response to executing the first test executive sequence, the second test executive sequence may also be executed, asynchronously from the first test executive sequence. The user may specify various options affecting execution of the second test executive sequence (the subsequence). For example, the user may specify various aspects of the execution environment or execution location for the subsequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James Grey, Douglas Melamed
  • Patent number: 7191086
    Abstract: A method for verifying operation of a media acceleration engine. The method includes providing input data to a replica of a media acceleration engine wherein the input data including a complete set of media streams, processing the input data via the replica of the media acceleration engine to provide replica output data, providing a subset of the complete set of media streams to a design of the media acceleration engine, simulating the operation of the design of the media acceleration engine using the subset of the complete set of media streams to provide design output data, comparing the replica output data with respective design output data, and verifying the operation of the media acceleration engine when replica output data matches corresponding design output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Harish Vasudeva
  • Patent number: 7184917
    Abstract: A method for integrating test modules in a modular test system is disclosed. The method includes controlling at least one test module and its corresponding device under test (DUT) with a controller, establishing a standard module control interface between a vendor-supplied test module and the modular test system with a module control framework, installing the vendor-supplied test module and a corresponding vendor-supplied control software module, where the vendor-supplied control software module is organized into a plurality of vendor-supplied module control components, configuring the modular test system based on the module control framework and the plurality of vendor-supplied module control components, and accessing the vendor-supplied test module in accordance with the plurality of vendor-supplied module control components using the module control framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advantest America R&D Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Ankan Pramanick, Mark Elston, Toshiaki Adachi
  • Patent number: 7184918
    Abstract: An automated system and method for conducting a usability test. The system conducts the usability test and records events that occur on the computer screen in sync with both the video and audio of the user and creates a complete chronicle of events that occur behind the scenes in the applications and the operating system. The system, depending upon the settings specified in the configuration, also captures other input streams and then saves the complete recording of the usability test, along with all the desired events and captures, in a file format. The system allows a remote viewer to observe, in real time, the recording of the usability test and to set markers at critical moments during the recording which are to be recorded. The system also allows the manager or administrator to configure the preferences, import and analyze the usability test and recording files, and prepare presentation videos of the usability test based upon the analyzed criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TechSmith Corporation
    Inventors: William Hamilton, Donald Allen Dalton, Dean Craven
  • Patent number: 7184922
    Abstract: A measurement device operable to communicate with a computer system via files. The computer system may receive one or more files created by the measurement device, where the files include measurement data generated by the measurement device and may utilize the files to perform a measurement application. The measurement device may also be operable to receive a configuration file from the computer system and configure or control itself according to commands or settings therein. In one embodiment the measurement device may appear to the computer system as a USB Mass Storage device, and the files created by the measurement device may appear as files stored on a USB Mass Storage device. Thus, the computer system may communicate with the measurement device to obtain the measurement data files in the same standard manner in which it would obtain files stored on any other USB Mass Storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy H. Ousley, Mike Muecke, Robert Watzlavick
  • Patent number: 7184916
    Abstract: A memory daughter card (MDC) is described, having a very high-speed serial interface and an on-card MDC test engine that allows one MDC to be directly connected to another MDC for testing purposes. In some embodiments, a control interface allows the test engine to be programmed and controlled by a test controller on a test fixture that allows simultaneous testing of a single MDC or one or more pairs of MDCs, one MDC in a pair (e.g., the “golden” MDC) testing the other MDC of that pair. Other methods are also described, wherein one MDC executes a series of reads and writes and other commands to another MDC to test at least some of the other card's functions, or wherein one port executes a series of test commands to another port on the same MDC to test at least some of the card's functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Resnick, Gerald A. Schwoerer, Kelly J. Marquardt, Alan M. Grossmeier, Michael L. Steinberger, Van L. Snyder, Roger A. Bethard
  • Patent number: 7181359
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a system of generic implementation of sharing test pins with I/O cells. The method includes a step of making a general change in a testlib file. The testlib file is suitable for controlling I/O cell pins to gain test access. The general change restricts I/O cells for sharing with test pins. The method further includes a step of making iogen changes for sharing. Optionally, the method may include a step of making a cell level change in the testlib file. The cell level change overrides restrictions defined by the general change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Saket K. Goyal
  • Patent number: 7177777
    Abstract: A test apparatus has multiple instruments that are synchronized with respect to one another so that a trigger signal may be generated in response to events occurring at different instruments. The events may correspond to events defined within a test program or events detected at a device under test. A partial trigger signal is generated by each of the different instruments, and the partial trigger signals are used in generating the trigger signal. Different offset delays are applied to the partial trigger signals so that the partial trigger signals generated by the different instruments are synchronized with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Giral, Jean-Claude Fournel
  • Patent number: 7174265
    Abstract: A test system for a heterogeneous multipath network. A tester system evaluates a plurality of status indicators from a plurality of types of test components in a network. Based on the status indicators of at least one of the test components, the tester system selects a first test to be performed. After executing the first test, the tester system selects a second test to be performed based on the status indicators of at least one of the test components and a result of the first test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Beverley Basham, Richard Earl Jones
  • Patent number: 7167804
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring energy consumption includes an input circuit and a processing circuit. The input circuit is operable to generate a first digital signal representative of a line voltage waveform and a second digital signal representative of a line current waveform. The processing circuit is operable to generate energy consumption data based on the first digital signal and the second digital signal. The processing circuit is further operable to generate a first pulse waveform having a plurality of output pulses based on the energy consumption data, each output pulse corresponding to a quantity of energy consumed, the first pulse waveform having a select one of a plurality of modes. The processing circuit is further operable to provide the first pulse waveform to a meter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Andrew Fridholm, David Allan Stenberg, John Voisine
  • Patent number: 7165001
    Abstract: A processing apparatus is caused to execute predetermined processing operation in a predetermined processing condition; a processing load factor in the apparatus is measured for when the predetermined processing operation is carried out in the apparatus; the measured load factor is compared with a predetermined target processing load factor range; the predetermined processing condition is adjusted in such a manner that the measured processing load factor may fall within the predetermined target processing load factor range; and operation verification of the apparatus is carried out in a condition where the measurement processing load factor falls within the target processing load factor. These steps are repeated while the target processing load factor range is changed in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Toshihiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7162387
    Abstract: System and method for using a graphical user interface (GUI) to generate a measurement task specification (MTS) for performing a measurement task. The measurement task includes measurement and/or signal generation. A measurement task specifier presents a GUI which guides a user in specifying the measurement task. The GUI presents a plurality of GUI elements, e.g., panels, for specifying a plurality of parameters for the measurement task, including measurement type, devices, channels, timing, and/or triggering. The GUI receives user input indicating values for the parameters, and may provide default values for at least some of the parameters. The GUI stores the parameter values in a memory, analyzes the parameter values, and generates the MTS in response to the analyzing. The MTS is then useable to produce a program which implements the measurement task. The specifier may programmatically generate the program, e.g., a graphical program, which is executable to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Johnson, John Breyer, Joseph Albert Savage
  • Patent number: 7158906
    Abstract: In a test system, a test method, and a program for use in verifying states in a target, a predetermined state is previously defined as an intermediate state among states which can be taken by the target. On causing a transition to occur in the target from a previous state to a next following state, the transition is caused to occur in the target from a previous state to the intermediate state. Then, the target makes the transition from the intermediate state to the next following state. For this purpose, the test system stores intermediate state transition procedures from the previous state to the intermediate one and a self-state transition procedure from the intermediate state to the next following state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Maruno
  • Patent number: 7155360
    Abstract: A process variation detector includes a pulse-signal generating unit that generates a pulse signal having a pulse width corresponding to a characteristic of a process variation in an integrated circuit based on a clock signal; and an output unit that generates a predetermined value, when the pulse signal indicates a specific process variation, by using a transistor of which a channel width and a gate length are set to an unbalanced state, and outputs the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Kensuke Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7149660
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for standardizing an interface infrastructure between sensor devices and client applications. The apparatus comprises a Sensor Application Integration Framework (SAIF) in the form of an application program interface (API) transport layer between sensor devices and client applications. Sensor services are registered in the SAIF API as interface definitions, and the client applications search the interface definitions corresponding to desired sensor services. An interactive handshake of messages and data between client applications and sensor services is implemented via the SAIF API by means of standard communication protocols such as XML. The SAIF API abstracts the details of the underlying sensor hardware from the client application, and can therefore function as a standard interface for sensor simulation, for sensor emulation, and for an active sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Kuehn, Marc A. Peters, Michael R. Mott
  • Patent number: 7139676
    Abstract: A method and a system evaluate an efficacy of a test suite in a model-based diagnostic testing system to determine a revision of the test suite. The evaluation comprises suggesting a test to be added to the test suite based on probabilities of a correct diagnosis and an incorrect diagnosis. The evaluation either alternatively or further comprises identifying a test to be deleted from the test suite based on probabilities of a correct diagnosis for the test suite and for a modified test suite that does not include a test. An efficacy value of each test in the test suite is computed. The system has a computer program comprising instructions that implement an evaluation of diagnostic efficacy of the test suite. The system either is a stand-alone system or is incorporated into the testing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Lee A. Barford
  • Patent number: 7130769
    Abstract: In one example, the method includes operating a process tool that has a plurality of sensors for sensing at least one parameter associated with the operation of the process tool, obtaining data from the sensors and determining at least one maintenance activity for the process tool based upon the data obtained from the sensors. In another example, data from the sensors is provided to a controller that analyzes the data and indicates desired variations in at least one maintenance activity to be performed on the process tool based upon the analysis of the data. In yet another example, the controller identifies a plurality of maintenance activities to be performed on the process tool based upon the analysis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam H. Allen, Jr., Michael R. Conboy, Elfido Coss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7117113
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for automated data collection and analysis, including steps of receiving a request for information about a device; constructing a command set, wherein the command set is a set of executable commands that indicate collection of data from the device and zero or more other devices; sending the command set to the device; receiving analysis results from an analysis engine, wherein the analysis results are based at least in part on a set of results received from the device and produced by executing the command set; and determining a set of solutions based on the analysis results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Baekelmans, Thibaut Vos
  • Patent number: 7107174
    Abstract: The present invention is a system, method and apparatus for disambiguating two like objects in two separate application containers. In accordance with the present invention, a pointer to one of the application containers can be obtained. Subsequently, the pointer can be provided as a parameter to a function call for an object in the one of the separate application containers. Notably, the application container can include one of a content browser and a distributable application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frank McGrath, Mark Metheny, Kenneth Sandler, William C. Tobin
  • Patent number: 7107172
    Abstract: A test apparatus for testing an electric device includes a plurality of signal input-output units for inputting and/or outputting test signals in response to each of a plurality of terminals included by the electric device, a channel selection memory for storing pieces of channel selection information indicating whether each of the signal input-output units should perform setting based on a setting condition or not, a setting condition memory for storing the setting condition with regard to the signal input-output unit, and a controlling means for retrieving and supplying the setting condition stored in the setting condition memory and the channel selection information stored in the channel selection memory to the signal input-output units based on a setting instruction, when receiving the setting instruction to set the setting condition of the signal input-output unit, wherein when at least one of the signal input-output units is selected by the channel selection information supplied from the controlling mea
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Yaguchi