Concurrent programming apparatus and method for electronic devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for programming a sequence of operating codes into a memory of each of a plurality of electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller for programming a sequence of operating codes into a memory of each one of said plurality of electronic devices;
a receptacle coupled to said controller for receiving one of said plurality of electronic devices; and
means coupled to said receptacle and said controller for automatically sensing when one of said plurality of electronic devices is inserted in said receptacle;
wherein said controller automatically programs the electronic device by transferring a sequence of operating codes into a memory of said one electronic device when presence of said one electronic device is sensed;
wherein said programming comprises determining whether said one electronic device is correctly inserted;
if said electronic device is incorrectly inserted, aborting programming;
if correctly inserted, determining the type of electronic device inserted; and
adjusting the sequence of operating codes to correspond to the electronic device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled group of programmer sites are provided to burn in or enter operating code into various types of programmable electronic devices, such as programmable memories, programmable logic devices (or PLD'"'"'s), field programmable gate arrays (or FPGA'"'"'s), and the like. The programmer sites are connected to a central controller and operate under control of the central controller, typically personal computer. Each programmer site includes its own computer processor or CPU. Initially for a production run of a particular type of device, one of the programmer sites serves as a master site. At the master site, an optimized control sequence for the device is developed in conjunction with the central controller. Once this is achieved, the optimal sequence is broadcast to all programmer sites connected to the central controller. Thereafter, each programmer site, including the former master site, operates autonomously to program the devices independently of the status of the other sites, while the central computer scans each of the network sites in a timed sequence and provides monitoring and reporting functions.
20 Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus for programming a sequence of operating codes into a memory of each of a plurality of electronic devices, the apparatus comprising:
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a controller for programming a sequence of operating codes into a memory of each one of said plurality of electronic devices;
a receptacle coupled to said controller for receiving one of said plurality of electronic devices; and
means coupled to said receptacle and said controller for automatically sensing when one of said plurality of electronic devices is inserted in said receptacle;
wherein said controller automatically programs the electronic device by transferring a sequence of operating codes into a memory of said one electronic device when presence of said one electronic device is sensed;
wherein said programming comprises determining whether said one electronic device is correctly inserted;
if said electronic device is incorrectly inserted, aborting programming;
if correctly inserted, determining the type of electronic device inserted; and
adjusting the sequence of operating codes to correspond to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An apparatus for transferring an arrangement of gating logic instructions into a plurality of programmable logic arrays, comprising:
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a controller for transferring an arrangement of gating logic instructions into one of said plurality of programmable logic arrays;
a receptacle coupled to said controller for receiving one of said plurality of programmable logic arrays; and
means coupled to said receptacle and said controller for automatically sensing when one of said plurality of programmable logic arrays is inserted in said receptacle;
each programming site being independently operable such that one site can be programming while another site is being unloaded or loaded;
wherein said controller automatically programs by transferring an arrangement of gating logic instructions into said one programmable logic array when presence of said one programmable logic array is sensed;
wherein said programming comprises determining whether the programmable logic array is correctly inserted;
if the programmable logic array is incorrectly inserted, aborting programming; and
if correctly inserted, determining the type of programmable logic array inserted and adjusting the sequence of operating codes to correspond to the programmable logic array. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An apparatus for independently and concurrently automatically transferring a sequence of operating codes into a memory of each of a plurality of programmable electronic devices comprising:
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a plurality of programming sites, each having a receptacle for a programmable electronic device and also having its own controller for independently transferring a sequence of operating codes into a memory of a programmable electronic device in said receptacle;
each of said programming site controllers having means therewith for automatically starting programming of a programmable electronic device when said device is inserted in said programming site independently of the status of the others of said programming sites; and
each programming site being independently operable such that one site can be programming while another site is being unloaded or loaded.
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6. An apparatus for independently and concurrently automatically transferring an arrangement of gating logic instructions into a plurality of programmable logic arrays, comprising:
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a plurality of programing sites, each having a receptacle for a programmable logic array and also having its own controller for independently transferring an arrangement of gating logic instructions into a programmable logic array in said receptacle;
each of said programming site controllers having means therewith for automatically starting programming of a programmable logic array when said programmable logic array is inserted in said programming site independently of the status of the others of said programming sites; and
each programming site being independently operable such that one site can be programming while another site is being unloaded or loaded.
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Specification