US6931369B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method to perform thermal simulation of an electronic circuit on a network
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 2001-05-01
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Granted: 2005-08-16
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Expires: 2021-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for thermally simulating a circuit over a network is provided. Techniques are provided for designing a circuit that satisfies user-specified functional requirements received over a network. Based on the specified requirements, components and a topology for constructing the circuit are automatically determined. The components determined during this operation have operational values such that, when the components are arranged according to the topology to form the circuit, the circuit satisfies the user-specified functional requirements. One or more web pages that identify the components are then delivered to the browser over the network. The component and topology information may be used to generate a schematic diagram that is delivered in a web page to the user over the network. The user may thermally simulate the designed circuit. Many characteristics of the board may be adjusted to provide an accurate thermal simulation. The user may place an order over the network for one of the components, a kit of all of the components, a custom made circuit made from the components, and/or a prefabricated circuit that is functionally similar to the one that was designed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Robert Perry
- 👤 Martin Garrison
- 👤 Rex L. Allison, III
- 👤 Richard Levin
- 👤 Phil Gibson
- 👤 Vandana A. Sojrani
- 👤 Khang Nguyen
- 👤 Wanda Carol Garrett
- 👤 John D. Perzow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:28
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G06F30/30; G06F30/36; G06F30/367; G06F2111/00; G06F2111/02; G06F2111/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, the circuit having components laid out on a board, comprising: determining the circuit to be thermally simulated over the network; determining a set of thermal characteristics for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of thermal characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; producing a result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and providing the result over the network to the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, the circuit having components laid out on a board, comprising: determining the circuit to be thermally simulated over the network; determining a set of thermal characteristics for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of thermal characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; producing a result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and providing the result over the network to the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: allowing the user to change a characteristic of the circuit; determining when the user has changed the characteristic of the circuit; and performing a thermal simulation of the circuit when a determination has been made that the user has changed the characteristic of the circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing the user to order the circuit over the network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein producing the result based on the thermal simulation, further comprises, producing a design document for the circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein providing the result over the network to a user further comprises allowing the user to share the circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein producing the result based on the thermal simulation, further comprises producing operating temperatures of the components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein producing the result based on the thermal simulation, further comprises producing a graphical plot of temperature intensities across the board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein producing the results based on the thermal simulation, further comprise: creating a graphical layout showing the location of components on the board; and displaying the graphical layout to the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein allowing the user to change the characteristic of the circuit, further comprises allowing the user to specify at least one thermal characteristic of the circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising allowing the user to add at least one heat sink to the circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein allowing the user to specify the at least one thermal characteristic of the circuit, further comprises allowing the user to add at least one fan to the circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein allowing the user to add the at least one fan to the circuit to provide airflow further comprises allowing the user to change a direction and airflow of the at least one fan.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A modulated data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing computer executable instructions for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: determining the circuit to simulate over the network; determining a set of characteristics for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; producing a thermal result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and providing a result based on the thermal result over the network to the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
A modulated data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing computer executable instructions for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: determining the circuit to simulate over the network; determining a set of characteristics for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; producing a thermal result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and providing a result based on the thermal result over the network to the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modulated data signal of claim 13 , further comprising: allowing the user to change a characteristic from the set of characteristics for the circuit; and performing the thermal simulation when the user changes the characteristic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The modulated data signal of claim 13 , further comprising allowing the user to order the circuit over the network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modulated data signal of claim 13 , wherein providing the result, further comprises providing a design document for the circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The modulated data signal of claim 15 , wherein providing the result, further comprises allowing the user to share the circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The modulated data signal of claim 13 , wherein providing the result, further comprises: creating a graphical layout showing the location of components on the board; and displaying the graphical layout to the user.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: a client having a client network connection device operative to connect the client to the network; a server having a server network connection device operative to connect the server to the network; and operative to perform actions, including: communicating with the client; determining the circuit to simulate; determining a thermal characteristic for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined thermal characteristic; providing a result to the client over the network based on the thermal simulation.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: a client having a client network connection device operative to connect the client to the network; a server having a server network connection device operative to connect the server to the network; and operative to perform actions, including: communicating with the client; determining the circuit to simulate; determining a thermal characteristic for the circuit; performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined thermal characteristic; providing a result to the client over the network based on the thermal simulation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 19 , further comprising: allowing the client to change the thermal characteristic; and performing the thermal simulation the thermal characteristic is changed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 19 , further comprising allowing the circuit to be ordered over the network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein providing the result to the client over the network based on the thermal simulation further comprises delivering a design document to the client.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 19 , wherein providing the result to the client over the network based on the thermal simulation further comprises allowing the circuit to be shared.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: a means for determining the circuit to be thermally simulated over the network; a means for determining a set of thermal characteristics for the circuit; a means for performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of thermal characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; a means for producing a result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and a means for providing the result over the network to the user.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus for thermally simulating a circuit over a network, comprising: a means for determining the circuit to be thermally simulated over the network; a means for determining a set of thermal characteristics for the circuit; a means for performing a thermal simulation of the circuit based on the determined set of thermal characteristics, wherein the thermal simulation is performed on a computer that is different from a computer the user is using to access the network; a means for producing a result based on the thermal simulation of the circuit; and a means for providing the result over the network to the user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 24 , further comprising a means for ordering the circuit over the network.
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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) | 2008-08-15 | 2009-02-14 | 2009-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-08-15 | 2013-02-14 | 2013-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-08-15 | 2017-02-14 | 2017-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |