US4995038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Finding faults in circuit boards
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract The subject invention features diagnostic circuitry installed on one or more chips of a board. This diagnostic circuitry is constructed so that during a diagnostic interval it generates a diagnostic output signal if and only if it is supplied with normal voltages on service supply structures (such as ground, B+ supply, clock) distributing service voltages to devices on the board. The diagnostic output is connected to a diagnostic output pin of the chip which may also serve as one of the operating pins of the chip (such as a signal input pin). The receptacle for the diagnostic pin is connected on the board to a diagnostic interface at the periphery of the board.
Inventors
- 👤 David C. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/28; G01R31/30; G01R31/2801; G01R31/2818; G01R31/317; G01R31/3181; G01R31/3185; G01R31/318505
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An integrated circuit chip having chip operating circuitry and at least one service supply terminal for receiving at least one service voltage within a predetermined range used in the function of said chip operating circuitry, said integrated circuit chip adapted for installation on a circuit board having a diagnostic interface for connection to a test computer, said chip comprising: diagnostic circuitry means located within said chip for generating a diagnostic output signal during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing at said diagnostic circuitry said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range; service supply structure means coupled to said at least one service supply terminal for delivering said at least one service voltage to said diagnostic circuitry means and said chip operating circuitry; and diagnostic output signal connection means coupled to said diagnostic circuitry means and said diagnostic interface for presenting said diagnostic output signal to said test computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
An integrated circuit chip having chip operating circuitry and at least one service supply terminal for receiving at least one service voltage within a predetermined range used in the function of said chip operating circuitry, said integrated circuit chip adapted for installation on a circuit board having a diagnostic interface for connection to a test computer, said chip comprising: diagnostic circuitry means located within said chip for generating a diagnostic output signal during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing at said diagnostic circuitry said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range; service supply structure means coupled to said at least one service supply terminal for delivering said at least one service voltage to said diagnostic circuitry means and said chip operating circuitry; and diagnostic output signal connection means coupled to said diagnostic circuitry means and said diagnostic interface for presenting said diagnostic output signal to said test computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said service supply structure means include a ground supply, a power supply and a clock supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The chip of claim 2 wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is a power-on transition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The chip of claim 2 wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is an assertion of a reset signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The chip of claim 4 wherein said diagnostic termination signal is a deassertion of said reset signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is a power-on transition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The chip as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is an assertion of a reset signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The chip as claimed in claim 7, wherein said diagnostic termination signal is a deassertion of a reset signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The chip of claim 1 wherein said diagnostic output signal connection means includes a receptacle coupled between a diagnostic terminal pin and a diagnostic connection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for determining proper connection of an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board having at least one service supply line for delivering at least one service voltage within a predetermined range to said chip, said apparatus comprising: circuitry means located within said chip for generating a diagnostic output signal during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing at said circuitry said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range; diagnostic output signal terminal means coupled to said circuitry means for receiving said diagnostic output signal; test computer means for analyzing and storing said diagnostic output signal; and means for connecting said diagnostic output signal terminal means to said test computer means such that said diagnostic output signal is presented to said test computer means to determine proper connection of said chip to said board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for determining proper connection of an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board having at least one service supply line for delivering at least one service voltage within a predetermined range to said chip, said apparatus comprising: circuitry means located within said chip for generating a diagnostic output signal during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing at said circuitry said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range; diagnostic output signal terminal means coupled to said circuitry means for receiving said diagnostic output signal; test computer means for analyzing and storing said diagnostic output signal; and means for connecting said diagnostic output signal terminal means to said test computer means such that said diagnostic output signal is presented to said test computer means to determine proper connection of said chip to said board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is a power-on transition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said diagnostic initiation signal is an assertion of a reset signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus of claim 12 wherein said diagnostic termination signal is a deassertion of said reset signal.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for finding an erroneous connection of an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board having at least one service supply line for delivering at least one service voltage within a predetermined range to said chip, said method comprising: generating a diagnostic output signal within said chip during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range at said chip; transmitting said diagnostic output signal to a test computer; and analyzing said diagnostic output signal to determine proper connection of said chip to said board.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for finding an erroneous connection of an integrated circuit chip to a circuit board having at least one service supply line for delivering at least one service voltage within a predetermined range to said chip, said method comprising: generating a diagnostic output signal within said chip during an interval between application of a diagnostic initiation signal and a diagnostic termination signal to said chip, said diagnostic output signal being generated in response to sensing said at least one service voltage within said predetermined range at said chip; transmitting said diagnostic output signal to a test computer; and analyzing said diagnostic output signal to determine proper connection of said chip to said board.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |