Texas Instruments Corporation

National Semiconductor Corporation

Malcolm James Humphrey

Jeffrey Robert Perry

Dien Mac

Denislav D Petkov

Mark Davidson

Capturing and processing a digital image of a pictorial (e.g., hand-drawn) representation of a schematic or block diagram as a digital image to aid in creation and maintenance of electrical designs is disclosed. Processing of the digital image includes processing to determine design parameters to create an informational format useful as input to other design software. Design parameters may include schematic layout and attributes such as maximum output voltage, minimum input voltage, ambient temperature, etc. The method and system also include storage of information accessible to refine designs and perform simulations of designs as part of an overall electrical design process. Associated devices and methods are disclosed as well.

Parameter extraction from digitized image of a schematic or block diagram for electrical designs

A method may include receiving an input from an optimization control that indicates a value along a scale, wherein the value is indicative of a design tradeoff between at least optimization for a first parameter of an electrical design and an optimization for a second parameter of the electrical design, wherein the value places an emphasis on the first parameter and an emphasis on the second parameter such that when the value on the scale is closer to the first parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the first parameter of the electrical design and when the value on the scale is closer to the second parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the second parameter of the electrical design. The method may further include choosing components for the electrical design based on the value indicated using the optimization control, the emphases affecting the components selected for the electrical design.

Power supply optimization for electrical circuits designed over the internet

A user may optimize a circuit design using a control presented within an Internet browser. The user can change the optimization value of the circuit that in turn places more or less emphasis on a parameter (e.g. foot print vs. efficiency). Once optimized for the values, the list of components matching the design as well as the optimization operating values are presented to the user.

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Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Malcolm James Humphrey