Method and apparatus for dynamically displaying and causing the execution of software diagnostic/test programs for the silicon validation of microprocessors
US5768499A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/22
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention permits a primary launch engine to display the names of, and information relating to, and cause the execution of diagnostic/test programs and/or batch-type routines for the silicon validation of microprocessors not only in existence at the time the primary launch engine is developed and compiled, but also, diagnostic/test programs and/or batch-type routines for the silicon validation of microprocessors that are developed and/or modified after the primary launch engine is developed and compiled without requiring modifications to, or the recompilation of, the primary launch engine. To do so, the present invention utilizes specialized data files consisting of one or more screen definition files and/or one or more script files wherein each screen definition file contains necessary menu structure and response information for each of the available diagnostic/test programs and wherein each of the script files contains sequencing and parameter information for each of the batch-type routines. These specialized data files are used by the primary launch engine to (i) display information pertaining to each of the available diagnostic/test programs and/or batch type routin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.