Graphical data base editor

• US 5,371,851 A
• Filed: 04/26/1989
• Issued: 12/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation (COHU Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation (COHU Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bush, Eric M., Rudwick, Thomas W. III, Pieper, Chris M., Wier, Cathie J. B., Du Pont, David, Greenseth, William A., Klingenberg, Robert R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US07/344,345
• Time in Patent Office: 2,050 Days
• Field of Search: 364/518, 364/521, 364/522, 340/747, 340/750, 340/798, 340/799, 395/162, 395/163, 395/164
• US Class Current: 345/501
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/318307 computer-aided, e.g. automatic test program generator [ATPG], program translations, test program debugging
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/318342 by preliminary fault modelling, e.g. analysis, simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/318357 Simulation computer simulation of digital circuits G06F30/3308
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/31912 Tester/user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/322 Display of waveforms, e.g. of logic analysers G06F11/323 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30

Abstract

A system manipulates stimulus/response signal data associated with an integrated circuit design, such as from a computer-aided engineering simulator, and converts the data into a format acceptable by a tester device which tests a prototype or production integrated circuit. The data is graphically displayed as a waveform and as a vector sequence. On-screen editing of either display is reflected in the other display. Further, the same displays are used to convert the data from event-based data into cycle-based template data compatible with a tester. A mix between event and state data during the conversion is allowed. A standard frame generation language is presented for defining tester frames for each signal within a template or timeset. A workbench editor provides for icon-based control of the system.

Claims

1. A system for generating and displaying a block diagram program comprising:

user-operable input means for inputting data, including data for selecting a plurality of blocks;

programmable computer means including memory means for storing computer program instructions and data, and processing means coupled to the input means and to the memory means for executing the stored program instructions, the processing means including means responsive to input data for producing graphic data representing the selected blocks, the blocks having terminals of at least two types such that only terminals of the same type can be connected; and

graphic display means responsive to the graphic data for displaying images of the selected blocks and associated terminals, the input means including means for selecting a terminal of one block for coupling to a terminal of another block, the processing means including means responsive to the input data for producing graphic data identifying terminals of other blocks of the same type as the selected terminal, and the display means including means responsive to the graphic data for displaying terminals of other blocks, which terminals are of the same type as the selected terminal, with a feature visually distinguishing them from terminals which are not of the same type.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the visually distinguishing feature comprises a color.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the visually distinguishing feature comprises a geometric form.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the blocks represent an associated predetermined function and the terminal types correspond with different forms of data being input or output from the corresponding block functions.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the processing means further comprises means for producing graphic data representing a term identifying the form of data associated with a selected terminal, and the display means comprises means responsive to the graphic data for displaying the term.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the term is displayed adjacent the selected terminal.

7. A system for generating, displaying and executing a block diagram program, at least one block of the program representing a predetermined function, each performance of the function resulting in one of a plurality of outputs, the system comprising:

user-operable input means for inputting data, including data for selecting a block and associated function;

programmable computer means including memory means for storing computer program instructions and data, and processing means coupled to the input means and to the memory means for executing the stored program instructions, the processing means including means responsive to input data for performing the function associated with the selected block and for producing graphic data representing the selected block with a graphic feature indicative of the output of the function performance, which graphic feature is visually distinguishable from a graphic feature indicative of another output of function performance; and

graphic display means responsive to the graphic data for displaying an image of the selected block with the corresponding graphic feature.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein one output comprises the completion of the performance of the associated function, and another output comprises the noncompletion of the performance of the associated function.

9. A system according to claim 7 wherein the graphic features comprise colors of the image of the associated block.