US6118938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory map computer control system for programmable ICS
Assignee: Xilinx Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-04
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2017-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A table-based computer user interface and a method of providing design parameters are provided for configuring circuits for programmable ICs. A design database describing a circuit is displayed in table-based format on a computer screen display. The design database may include a memory map including data to be placed in bit-storage space in the target programmable IC. This design database requires no schematics or HDL description of the circuit, even for application-specific circuits and other complicated circuits. The desired parameters are entered by the user, typically using toggle buttons, pull-down menus, or keyboard entry. The selected parameters and memory map data are then entered into the design database, thereby configuring the design database in accordance with the selected parameters. In one embodiment, the user interface can also be used to display read data from a previously programmed programmable IC.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary R. Lawman
- 👤 Joseph D. Linoff
- 👤 Stephen L. Wasson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A computer control system comprising: means for displaying, on a screen display in table-based format, a memory map representing a contents of at least one bit-storage space of a programmable IC configured through a design database, the programmable IC further comprising user-configurable logic; means for receiving data specified by a user to be stored in said bit-storage space based on said memory map; and means for entering said data in said design database, wherein said control system is dependent on a schematic entry software tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer control system comprising: means for displaying, on a screen display in table-based format, a memory map representing a contents of at least one bit-storage space of a programmable IC configured through a design database, the programmable IC further comprising user-configurable logic; means for receiving data specified by a user to be stored in said bit-storage space based on said memory map; and means for entering said data in said design database, wherein said control system is dependent on a schematic entry software tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving data comprises pull-down menus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 1 wherein said means for receiving data comprises keyboard entry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 1 wherein said data is specified in an alpha-numeric format other than binary.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer control system recited in claim 1 wherein said circuit comprises a PCI bus compatible interface circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space comprises a PCI Base Address Register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 5 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space comprises a PCI Configuration Space Header.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer control system comprising: means for displaying, on a screen display in table-based format, a memory map representing a contents of at least one bit-storage space of a programmable IC configured through a design database, the programmable IC further comprising user-configurable logic; means for receiving data specified by a user to be stored in said bit-storage space based on said memory map; and means for entering said data in said design database, wherein said control system is independent of any schematic entry software tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer control system comprising: means for displaying, on a screen display in table-based format, a memory map representing a contents of at least one bit-storage space of a programmable IC configured through a design database, the programmable IC further comprising user-configurable logic; means for receiving data specified by a user to be stored in said bit-storage space based on said memory map; and means for entering said data in said design database, wherein said control system is independent of any schematic entry software tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said means for receiving data comprises toggle buttons.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said means for receiving data comprises pull-down menus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said means for receiving data comprises keyboard entry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said data is specified in an alpha-numeric format other than binary.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said circuit comprises a PCI bus compatible interface circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 13 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space represents a PCI Base Address Register.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 13 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space represents a PCI Configuration Space Header.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 further comprising: means for displaying read data from a programmable IC that has been programmed to include a previously configured circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer control system recited in claim 8 wherein said design database further comprises a feature selection, said control system further comprising: means for displaying said feature selection on a screen display in table-based format; means for receiving a selection of features from a user, said features being specified by the user based on said screen display; and means for entering said features in said database, thereby configuring said database in accordance with said features.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 17 wherein said means for receiving a selection of features comprises toggle buttons.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 17 wherein said means for receiving a selection of features comprises pull-down menus.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 17 wherein said means for receiving a selection of features comprises keyboard entry.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer control system comprising: means for reading data from at least one bit-storage space in an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit further including logic circuits; means for formatting the data into a memory map representing a contents of the at least one bit-storage space; and means for displaying said memory map on a screen display in table-based format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer control system comprising: means for reading data from at least one bit-storage space in an integrated circuit, said integrated circuit further including logic circuits; means for formatting the data into a memory map representing a contents of the at least one bit-storage space; and means for displaying said memory map on a screen display in table-based format.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer control system recited in claim 21 wherein said integrated circuit is a programmable integrated circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer control system recited in claim 21, wherein the data is displayed in an alpha-numeric format other than binary.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer control system in claim 21 wherein said integrated circuit comprises a PCI bus compatible interface circuit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 24 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space represents a PCI Base Address Register.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer control system recited in claim 24 wherein at least a portion of said bit-storage space represents a PCI Configuration Space Header.
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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) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |