David D Stubbs

US Patent:

53093526, May 3, 1994

Filed:

May 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/525814

Inventors:

David D. Stubbs - Portland OR

Assignee:

Tektronix, Inc. - Wilsonville OR

International Classification:

G05B 1101
G05B 902
G01R 1512

US Classification:

364140

Abstract:

An equipment test program, stored and processed in a computer system, defines device termination procedures used for terminating devices used in a plurality of sets for performing a plurality of tests. The termination procedure for each device is associated with an ensemble, or group data structure. Each ensemble contains a set of termination task data structures for implementing the device terminations. Each task represents a device that operates with other devices in a test program module. Each task is linked to zero or more predecessor tasks in the ensemble. This linking represents the need to turn off the predecessor tasks' devices first before turning off any task's device. Within each test module, and before any device in the group is instructed to operate, the ensemble optimization procedure is invoked to pass a pointer to the module's ensemble data structure. The ensemble optimization procedure is used to optimally decide which device termination procedures should be invoked. Specifically, the ensemble procedure is used to determine which devices in the current ensemble must be turned off because they are not in the new ensemble.

US Patent:

51558360, Oct 13, 1992

Filed:

Mar 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/325170

Inventors:

Dale A. Jordan - Aloha OR
Lynne A. Fitzsimmons - Portland OR
William A. Greenseth - Portland OR
Gregory L. Hoffman - Beaverton OR
David D. Stubbs - Portland OR

International Classification:

G06F 1560

US Classification:

395500

Abstract:

A block diagram editor system and method is implemented in a computer workstation that includes a CRT and a mouse, graphics and windowing software, and an external communications interface for test instruments. The computer is programmed for constructing, interconnecting and displaying block diagrams of functional elements on the CRT. From prestored routines for each functional element, the software assembles and executes a program that emulates the functional operations of each element and transfers data from output from each element in turn to an input of a succeeding block, as determined by the block diagram configuration. The block functions include signal generating and analysis functions, and functions for control of various types of test instruments, which can be interactively controlled through the CRT and mouse. The computer converts desired outputs of the instruments into control settings and receives, analyzes and displays data from the instruments. Blocks can also be grouped into macroblocks.

US Patent:

48129968, Mar 14, 1989

Filed:

Nov 26, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/935369

Inventors:

David D. Stubbs - Portland OR

Assignee:

Tektronix, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

G06F 1574
G01R 2300

US Classification:

364487

Abstract:

A signal viewing instrumentation control system includes a programmable test instrument, a computer having an input keyboard and/or mouse, a CRT display and a communications interface for the computer to communicate with the test instrument. The test instrument can be a digitizer, a spectrum analyzer, a power supply or a signal generator. The system includes software for the user to interactively control the test instrument through the computer. The software includes a functional characterization of the test instrument for inversely transforming a generic output for the instrument into a generalized set of control setting commands for controlling operation of the instrument. The user can graphically enter into the computer a user-specified output for the instrument. The computer converts the graphically-specified output into a specific set of the control setting commands and transmits the specific commands to the test instrument to control its operation. The user can thereby interactively control the test instrument to provide an output function replicating a desired output function without having to enter a control settings to the test instrument either manually or as program language control statements.

US Patent:

48687855, Sep 19, 1989

Filed:

Jan 27, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/007234

Inventors:

Dale A. Jordan - Aloha OR
Lynne A. Fitzsimmons - Portland OR
William A. Greenseth - Portland OR
Gregory L. Hoffman - Beaverton OR
David D. Stubbs - Portland OR

Assignee:

Tektronix, Inc. - Beaverton OR

International Classification:

G06F 1546
G06F 1520

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

A block diagram editor system and method is implemented in a computer workstation that includes a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and a mouse, graphics and windowing software, and an external communications interface for test instruments. The computer is programmed for constructing, interconnecting and displaying block diagrams of functional elements on the CRT. From prestored routines for each functional element, the software assembles and executes a program that emulates the functional operations of each element and transfers data from output from each element in turn to an input of a succeeding block, as determined by the block diagram configuration. The block functions include signal generating and analysis functions, and functions for control of various types of test instruments, which can be interactively controlled through the CRT and mouse. The computer converts desired outputs of the instruments into control settings and receives, analyzes and displays data from the instruments. Blocks can also be grouped into macroblocks.

US Patent:

51367050, Aug 4, 1992

Filed:

Jun 10, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/711723

Inventors:

David D. Stubbs - Portland OR
Mark P. Barnett - Portland OR
William A. Greenseth - Portland OR

Assignee:

Tektronix, Inc. - Wilsonville OR

International Classification:

G06F 1100

US Classification:

395575

Abstract:

Computer-controlled test and measurement systems, including resources having multiple states and resources having multiple inputs, are modeled as data flow diagrams of topologically interconnected resources. A set of "tasks" are defined for changing the states of multiple-state resources and causing software resources to produce output data. Methods and apparatus, including internal and external task ordering rules, are provided to automatically interleave such tasks and implement input-ordering restrictions. Thereby, a sequence of tasks is produced to control the systems so as to assure valid data collection and protect physical resources from abuse. Data structures are illustrated for implementing the invention in an object-oriented programming environment.