Robert Zeidman

Robert Zeidman
Born (1960-01-18) January 18, 1960
Nationality United States
Fields Electrical engineering, Computer science, and Software forensics
Alma mater Stanford University
Cornell University
Known for Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design, Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) design, Embedded systems, Software synthesis, Software analysis, Software forensics
Notable awards IEEE Outstanding Engineer Awards (2010, 2015)

Robert “Bob” Zeidman (born January 18, 1960) is an American electrical engineer, educator and inventor who has made contributions in Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) design, embedded systems development, software synthesis, software analysis and software forensics. Best known as the inventor of software forensics,[1][2] Zeidman’s pioneering research and development of software-forensics tools was instrumental in making detection of software source-code correlation practical and accurate, and in turning previously subjective information into empirical evidence. He has personally consulted on more than 160 court cases involving billions of dollars in disputed intellectual property, the software forensics tools he developed have been used in litigation worldwide, and his book, "The Software IP Detective's Handbook," is considered the standard textbook for software forensics.[3][4]

Zeidman is also well known for his work developing embedded systems. Since 1987, Zeidman has designed ASICs, FPGAs, and PC boards for RISC-based parallel processor systems, vector supercomputers, laser printers, hardware emulators, network switches and routers, and various real-time systems. His clients have included Apple Computer, Cadence Design Systems, Cisco Systems, Intel, Mentor Graphics, Ricoh Systems, and Texas Instruments.[5]

Zeidman received a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, and bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering and physics from Cornell University. He holds 22 granted patents and four pending patents.[6][7]

Zeidman founded many companies, seven of which are still operating under his leadership: Z Enterprises (novelty items from Silicon Valley; May 1986 – present);[8] Zeidman Consulting (hardware and software design services; October 1987 – present);[9] eVault Remote Backup Service (January 1992 – April 1999); The Chalkboard Network (online business and engineering courses; January 1999 – December 2002); Zeidman Technologies (software tools for embedded software development; December 2002 – present);[10] Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation (software tools for intellectual property litigation; September 2007 – present);[11] SamAnna Designs (fashion accessories; January 2011 – present);[12] Swiss Creek Publications (independent publisher; June 2012 – present);[13] Firtiva (online videos and films; December 2013 – present).[14]

Zeidman has written many technical papers on hardware and software design methods, and has taught courses on Verilog, ASIC, and FPGA design at engineering conferences throughout the world. He is the author of five engineering books: “Verilog Designer's Library,”[15] “Introduction to Verilog,”[16] “Designing with FPGAs and CPLDs,”[17] “The Software IP Detective's Handbook,”[18] and “Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues.”[19] He is the co-author of two engineering books: “Circuit Design: Know it All (Newnes Know it All)”[20] and “FPGAs: World Class Designs.”[21] He is also the author of three novels: “The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen”,[22] “Horror Flick,”[23] and “Good Intentions.”[24]

Zeidman is a senior member of the IEEE and was the recipient of the 1994 Wyle/EE Times American by Design Award, the 2003 Jolt Reader's Choice Award, the 2010 and the 2015 Outstanding Engineer Award from the IEEE Santa Clara Valley Section[25] and from the Region 6 Central Area[26] for his pioneering contributions to the field of software forensics. Zeidman has also won awards for writing and for the production and direction of short films.[27]

Biography

Zeidman was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned bachelor's degrees in electrical engineering and physics from Cornell University in 1981 and a master's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1982. From 1983 to 1988 Zeidman held engineering positions designing computer chips at four companies: Signetics (April 1983 – December 1984), ROLM Corporation (January – August 1985), American Supercomputers (September – December 1985), and Telestream (January 1986 – March 1988).[28] In May 1986 Zeidman founded the company Z Enterprises, which produces novelty items from Silicon Valley such as posters, mugs, napkins and T-shirts. The company still operates today under Zeidman’s ownership.[29]

In October 1987 Zeidman founded the company Zeidman Consulting, which provides hardware and software design services, engineering support and expert witnesses for high-tech litigation. The company still operates today with Zeidman as president.[30] Zeidman’s work at Zeidman Consulting includes creating patented Molasses® virtualization software that enables a slow speed hardware emulator or prototype to be attached to a high-speed network in order to emulate network hardware in a live system. Zeidman also consulted on more than 160 court cases involving billions of dollars in disputed intellectual property, such as Brocade v. A10 Networks, for which he testified at trial, ConnectU v. Facebook (made famous in the Academy Award-winning movie, “The Social Network”), and Texas Instruments v. Samsung Electronics, which resulted in an award to his client of over $1 billion.[31] At Zeidman Consulting, Zeidman also developed the software tools, SynthOS® [32] and CodeSuite®,[33] which became the flagship products for his two software companies, Zeidman Technologies (SynthOS) and Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation (CodeSuite).

In 1991 Zeidman wrote his first novel, “The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen.”[34]

In January 1992 Zeidman invented remote backup and founded the company eVault Remote Backup Service. The company closed in April 1999 and the intellectual property became part of EVault, which was sold to Seagate Technology in 2007.

In 1992 Zeidman wrote his second novel, “Horror Flick.”[35]

In January 1999 Zeidman founded the company The Chalkboard Network, which ran until December, 2002. The company featured business and engineering courses from world-leading experts, hosted on the Internet and employing Depth Control®, an instructional design methodology for Web-based training that Zeidman developed.

Also in 1999 Zeidman wrote and published his first engineering text book, “Verilog Designer’s Library.”[36]

In 2000 Zeidman wrote and published his second engineering text book, “Introduction to Verilog.”[37]

In December 2002 Zeidman founded the company Zeidman Technologies, which provides software tools for embedded software development. The company’s patented flagship product is SynthOS® software that automatically synthesizes optimized source code for a custom real time operating system. The company still operates with Zeidman as president.[38]

Also in 2002 Zeidman wrote and published his third engineering text book, “Designing with FPGAs and CPLDs.”[39]

In September 2007 Zeidman founded the company Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation, which provides software tools for intellectual property litigation. The company’s main product is CodeSuite®, which includes the patented BitMatch®, CodeCross®, CodeDiff®, CodeMatch®, and SourceDetective® functions for accelerating the process of detecting copying of software code. The company still operates with Zeidman as president.[40]

In 2008 Zeidman co-authored his fourth engineering text book, “Circuit Design: Know it All (Newnes Know it All).”[41]

In 2009 Zeidman co-authored his fifth engineering text book “FPGAs: World Class Designs.”[42]

In January 2011 Zeidman founded the company SamAnna Designs, which makes practical accessories that are also comfortable. Its first product is the SamAnna Luxury Wallet. The company still operates with Zeidman as owner.[43]

Also in 2011 Zeidman wrote and published his sixth engineering text book, “The Software IP Detective’s Handbook.”[44]

In June 2012 Zeidman founded the company Swiss Creek Publications, an independent publisher, which published four of Zeidman’s books: Introduction to Verilog,” “Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues,” “The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen,” “Horror Flick,” and “Good Intentions.” The company still operates with Zeidman as owner.[45]

Also in 2012 Zeidman wrote and published his third novel, “Good Intentions.”[46]

In December 2013 Zeidman founded the company Firtiva, a video-on-demand website built on a patented technology to provide commercial-free content while sending second screen advertisements to a highly targeted audience. The company still operates with Zeidman as president.[47]

Also in 2013 Zeidman wrote and published his seventh engineering text book, “Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues.”[48]

In 2015 Zeidman created and awarded the first annual Zeidman Award, a program established to recognize middle school students in the fields of electrical engineering or computer science who demonstrate an advanced knowledge of electronics or computer programming to solve challenges in a unique and efficient manner.[49]

Awards

Zeidman has received the following awards:

Books

Zeidman is the author of five engineering books:

Zeidman is the co-author of two engineering books:

Zeidman is also the author of three novels:

Selected articles

Patents

Zeidman is a named inventor on following patents and patent applications:

Speaking engagements

Zeidman has delivered seminars and courses on the following topics:

Zeidman has delivered seminars and courses at the following places:

References

  1. ↑ Maxfield, Max (June 24, 2015). "IEEE Recognizes Outstanding Engineer". EE Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Named Outstanding Engineer in the Region 6 Central Area". Reuters. September 29, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Maxfield, Max (June 24, 2015). "IEEE Recognizes Outstanding Engineer". EE Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  4. ↑ Barbara, John J. (October 18, 2011). "Book Review: The Software IP Detective's Handbook". Forensic Magazine. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  5. ↑ "About the Company". Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  6. ↑ "USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Patent Application Full Text and Image Database". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Z Enterprises Homepage". Z Enterprises. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Zeidman Consulting Homepage". Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Zeidman Technologies Homepage". Zeidman Technologies. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation Homepage". Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  12. ↑ "SamAnna Designs Homepage". SamAnna Designs. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Swiss Creek Publications Homepage". Swiss Creek Publications. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Firtiva Homepage". Firtiva. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  15. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1999). Verilog Designer's Library (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  16. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Introduction to Verilog (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  17. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Designing with FPGAs and CPLDs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2011). The Software IP Detective's Handbook (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  19. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2013). Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  20. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2008). Circuit Design: Know it All (Newnes Know it All) (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  21. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2009). FPGAs: World Class Designs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  22. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1991). The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  23. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1992). Horror Flick (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  24. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2012). Good Intentions (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  25. ↑ Maxfield, Max (June 24, 2015). "IEEE Recognizes Outstanding Engineer". EE Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Named Outstanding Engineer in the Region 6 Central Area". Reuters. September 29, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Bob Zeidman". LinkedIn. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Bob Zeidman". LinkedIn. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Z Enterprises Homepage". Z Enterprises. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Zeidman Consulting About the Company". Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Resume" (PDF). Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  32. ↑ "SynthOS". Zeidman Technologies. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  33. ↑ "CodeSuite". Software Analysis & Forensic Engineering Corporation. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  34. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1991). The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  35. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1992). Horror Flick (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  36. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1999). Verilog Designer's Library (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  37. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Introduction to Verilog (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Zeidman Technologies Homepage". Zeidman Technologies. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  39. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Designing with FPGAs and CPLDs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation Homepage". Software Analysis and Forensic Engineering Corporation. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  41. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2008). Circuit Design: Know it All (Newnes Know it All) (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  42. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2009). FPGAs: World Class Designs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  43. ↑ "SamAnna Designs Homepage". SamAnna Designs. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  44. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2011). The Software IP Detective's Handbook (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Swiss Creek Publications Homepage". Swiss Creek Publications. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  46. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2012). Good Intentions (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Firtiva Homepage". Firtiva. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  48. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2013). Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Winners Announced in Inaugural Zeidman Awards" (Press release). Cupertino, California: Zeidman Consulting. May 27, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Resume" (PDF). Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  51. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Resume" (PDF). Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  52. ↑ Maxfield, Max (June 24, 2015). "IEEE Recognizes Outstanding Engineer". EE Times. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Named Outstanding Engineer in the Region 6 Central Area". Reuters. September 29, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Bob Zeidman Resume" (PDF). Zeidman Consulting. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  55. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Introduction to Verilog (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  56. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1999). Verilog Designer's Library (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  57. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2000). Designing with FPGAs and CPLDs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  58. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2011). The Software IP Detective's Handbook (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  59. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2013). Just Enough Electronics to Impress Your Friends and Colleagues (1st ed.). Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  60. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2008). Circuit Design: Know it All (Newnes Know it All) (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  61. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2009). FPGAs: World Class Designs (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  62. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1991). The Amazing Adventure of Edward and Dr. Sprechtmachen (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  63. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (1992). Horror Flick (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  64. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (2012). Good Intentions (1st ed.). Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  65. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (October 27, 2014). "Software Forensics: Objectively Proving Infringement or Misappropriation". IP Watchdog. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  66. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (October 31, 2014). "Software Forensics: Qualifying Tools and Experts Who Use Them". IP Watchdog. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  67. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (July 23, 2014). "Misunderstanding Plagues the Patent System". Electronic Design. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  68. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (July 15, 2014). "Sloppy, Misleading Yale Paper Challenges University Patenting". IP Watchdog. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  69. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (June 30, 2014). "ASOS: A new software development paradigm for the Internet of Things – Part 1: Basic building blocks". Embedded.com. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  70. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (June 29, 2014). "ASOS: A new RTOS paradigm for the Internet of Things – Part 2: Building a project file". Embedded.com. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  71. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (May 27, 2014). "A Code Correlation Comparison of the DOS and CP/M Operating Systems". Journal of Software Engineering and Applications. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  72. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (April 17, 2014). "The bogeymen destroying the patent system". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  73. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (April 10, 2014). "Fortune Magazine’s Unusual Position on Non-Practicing Entities". IP Watchdog. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  74. ↑ Zeidman, Bob (July 31, 2012). "Did Bill Gates Steal the Heart of DOS?". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
  75. ↑ US 6934947, Zeidman, Robert M., "Visual tool for developing real time task management code", issued August 23, 2005
  76. ↑ US 7050962, Zeidman, Robert M., "Method for connecting a hardware emulator to a network", issued May 23, 2006
  77. ↑ US 7210116, Zeidman, Robert M.; Daniel R. Hafeman & Michael Barr, "Method and apparatus for synthesizing a hardware system from a software description", issued April 24, 2007
  78. ↑ US 7266490, Zeidman, Robert Marc, "Apparatus and method for connecting hardware to a circuit simulation", issued March 15, 2011
  79. ↑ US 7503035, Zeidman, Robert M., "Software tool for detecting plagiarism in computer source code", issued March 10, 2009
  80. ↑ US 7620928, Zeidman, Robert M.; Daniel R. Hafeman & Michael Barr, "Method and apparatus for synthesizing a hardware system from a software description", issued November 17, 2009
  81. ↑ US 7647583, Zeidman, Robert M. & Daniel R. Hafeman, "Method and apparatus for emulating a hardware/software system using a computer", issued January 12, 2010
  82. ↑ US 7823127, Zeidman, Robert M., "Detecting plagiarism in computer source code", issued October 26, 2010
  83. ↑ US 7835897, Zeidman, Robert Marc, "Apparatus and method for connecting hardware to a circuit simulation", issued November 16, 2010
  84. ↑ US 7882488, Zeidman, Robert M., "Software tool for synthesizing a real-time operating system", issued February 1, 2011
  85. ↑ US 7900187, Zeidman, Robert M. & Gregory Snider, "Using readily available driver and application source code with a synthesized operating system", issued March 1, 2011
  86. ↑ US 7945879, Zeidman, Robert M. & Daniel R. Hafeman, "Method and apparatus for synthesizing a hardware system from a software description", issued May 17, 2011
  87. ↑ US 8160863, Zeidman, Robert M., "System and method for connecting a logic circuit simulation to a network", issued April 17, 2012
  88. ↑ US 8195442, Zeidman, Robert Marc, "Use of hardware peripheral devices with software simulations", issued June 5, 2012
  89. ↑ US 8255885, Zeidman, Robert, "Detecting copied computer source code by examining computer object code", issued August 28, 2012
  90. ↑ US 8261237, Zeidman, Robert M., "Software tool for detecting plagiarism in computer source code", issued September 4, 2012
  91. ↑ US 8316390, Zeidman, Robert M., "Method for advertisers to sponsor broadcasts without commercials", issued November 20, 2012
  92. ↑ US 8380481, Zeidman, Robert M., "Conveying Data From A Hardware Device To A Circuit Simulation", issued February 19, 2013
  93. ↑ US 8495586, Zeidman, Robert Marc, "Software for filtering the results of a software source code comparison", issued July 23, 2013
  94. ↑ US 9003366, Zeidman, Robert Marc, "Detecting plagiarism in computer source code", issued April 7, 2015
  95. ↑ US 9043375, Zeidman, Robert Marc & Timothy Douglas Hoehn, "Searching the Internet for common elements in a document in order to detect plagiarism", issued May 26, 2015
  96. ↑ US 9053296, Mylroie, Steven & Robert Marc Zeidman, "Detecting plagiarism in computer markup language files", issued June 9, 2015

External links

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