David Stubbs - Patents

Requirements Interface Usability	2215 NE 45th Ave, Portland, Oregon +1.503.284.0164 Map

Between 1983 and 1991, I worked in TekLabs, the Tektronix advanced research group. My group created manufacturing test program development and instrument control software prototypes.

The work was based on an intensive round of interviews our team conducted with manufacturing test engineers and test line operators. We came to understand their work histories (education, skills, prior experiences), work patterns, organizational pressures, and the business requirements of test.

We developed a graphic block-diagram programming system vaguely similar to National Instruments' LabView. Ours, however used true data flow techniques rather than icons representing Basic statements.

4,868,785 Block diagram editor system and method for controlling electronic instruments
5,155,836 Block diagram system and method for controlling electronic instruments with simulated graphic display

With help from two colleagues, I developed a set of expert rules to get groups of instruments to connect, turn on, stimulate or measure, turn off, and disconnect in the right order. On first hearing, our clients said, "No! No! I need to have control." But after an exhaustive review with a panel of test experts, we determined their requirements were met in every way.

5,136,705 Method of generating instruction sequences for controlling data flow processes
5,309,352 Method and system for optimizing termination in systems of programmable devices

I also came up with a way to control an oscilloscope and other devices using ideas from the Smalltalk80 software system Tektronix was developing at the time. By drawing a bounding box with a mouse or other pointing device, the user could, in effect, say "Let me see that," and from the purely graphical representation, new settings would be calculated.

4,812,996 Signal viewing instrumentation control system

This work saw the light of day in the Tektronix TWD-120, a two-channel, PC and Windows 3.1-based digitizer. With its long SCSI cable, the product became known as "scope on a rope."

Tektronix no longer supports this instrument and I have neither documentation, knowledge of the SCSI subsystem, nor much memory of the project. Please direct queries to techsupport@tek.com at the Tektronix Technical Support Center.