Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1998-2001
Title: The Innovations of William C. Patton
Introduction
William C. Patton is an accomplished inventor based in Plano, TX (US). He holds 2 patents that showcase his expertise in debugging systems and cache coherency in computer architecture. His contributions have significantly impacted the field of computer engineering.
Latest Patents
One of his latest patents is a debug system allowing programmable selection of alternate debug mechanisms such as debug handler, SMI, or JTAG. This invention includes a circuit for diagnosing and debugging a processor executing a stream of instructions. It features a set of debug registers for identifying instruction or data address breakpoints, a processor for generating a debug exception, and a debug configuration register for enabling program control transfer to various destinations in response to the debug exception. The destinations may include system management mode, JTAG routine, or a software debug interrupt handler.
Another notable patent is related to cache coherency without bus master arbitration signals. This method of data communication addresses asynchronous processes in a computer system, particularly in a multi-master environment. The cache coherency system comprises two programmable logic arrays (PLAs)—a FLUSH module and a WAVESHAPING module. The FLUSH module detects cache invalidation conditions and provides a FLUSH output signal, while the WAVESHAPING module ensures the appropriate timing for the CPU/FLUSH signal.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, William C. Patton has worked with notable companies such as Via-Cyrix, Inc. and Cyrix Corporation. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to develop innovative solutions that enhance computer performance and reliability.
Collaborations
William has collaborated with several professionals in the field, including Mark W. Hervin and Mark W. Bluhm. These partnerships have contributed to the advancement of technology in the areas of debugging and cache management.
Conclusion
William C. Patton's contributions to the field of computer engineering through his patents and career experiences highlight his role as a significant innovator. His work continues to influence the development of advanced debugging systems and cache coherency methods.