Exponent’s consulting team has experience in many aspects of software analysis and design ranging from evaluating intellectual property content of a software product to resolving failures related to embedded processors and machine control. At Exponent we have the capability to perform complex software review, study the interaction of hardware and software layers, as well as evaluate safety and reliability issues related to device control for safety-critical applications such as medical devices.
Our services include the following broad areas:
Software and Algorithm Development
Our clients are often in need of products that push the state of the art of currently available algorithms and software. Exponent’s team has a track record of developing software and algorithms that are at the forefront of machine learning, computer vision, signal processing, and control architectures; integrating them into robust systems that can withstand use in both commercial and extreme environments. Our team of software developers and licensed engineers not only writes the software but also tests and documents each portion of the code so the client can continue to maintain the software, and if needed, submit the design history file to regulatory agencies.
Software Reliability
Exponent’s engineers have expertise in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and systems engineering. These consultants have industrial and consulting experience in designing, developing, testing, and commercializing software and software-related systems. Exponent has analyzed, verified, and validated software utilized in mission-critical systems to understand and communicate how the code functions and to understand the interaction of systems with software that may result in rare “bugs.”
Intellectual Property
Modern technological systems, whether they are medical devices, automobiles, or cell phones, utilize software to enable the functionality that is critical to their commercial success and utility. Understanding the software function and mode of operation is in many cases much more difficult than for mechanical systems where a simple inspection or a design diagram may tell the whole story. Software for even a relatively simple system may contain hundreds of thousands of lines of code written in multiple computer languages and may have comments and variable names in foreign languages. Exponent has analyzed algorithms contained in software and performed literal and doctrine of equivalence infringement analyses through software review and engineering testing by comparing function, results, and implementation of claimed features. Our team of engineers and scientists, who have relevant skills in multiple arts, have also assisted clients in claim construction motions. Additionally, we have assisted clients in validity evaluation by analyzing novelty and obviousness of claimed inventions as well as performing prior art and prior use searches to elucidate explicit and inherent anticipation of a patent.
User Interface Design
The software engineering capabilities at Exponent include expertise in the design of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), with our experts bringing to bear both broad and profound experience in designing and evaluating human-machine interfaces for a variety of different application contexts, from inter- and intranets to medical software to complex, safety-critical system and interfaces, such as commercial flight deck displays or medical imaging technologies (e.g., CT). Specifically, our experts have performed user requirements elicitation and definition, workflow analyses, interaction design, visual design, prototyping, usability testing, and documentation (e.g., design specifications; user, maintenance and training guides; computer based training) within a user-centered design process, and have worked both within waterfall and iterative (rapid development) software engineering processes. They have also mined large databases for problem space definitions and modes of failure analyses. Many of the resulting design solutions are now in application-specific products. Exponent also regularly applies this experience within the context of product liability litigation, by evaluating the human factors and design aspects of allegedly defective devices and processes.
Examples of past projects include:
- Infringement analysis of the embedded and stand alone products
- Failure analysis of embedded controllers, traffic control systems, motor controllers, and amusement park rides
- Safety and reliability analysis of software in safety critical applications such as large machinery, medical devices, process control applications including power generation systems, manufacturing, chemical processing, and fly-by-wire controllers
- Design and implementation of software for radar detection and video surveillance systems.