Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Winstead Sechrest & Minick
  • Patent number: 7949859
    Abstract: A method and processor for avoiding check stops in speculative accesses. An execution unit, e.g., load/store unit, may be coupled to a queue configured to store instructions. A register, coupled to the execution unit, may be configured to store a value corresponding to an address in physical memory. When the processor is operating in real mode, the execution unit may retrieve the value stored in the register. Upon the execution unit receiving a speculative instruction, e.g., speculative load instruction, from the queue, a determination may be made as to whether the address of the speculative instruction is at or below the retrieved value. If the address of the speculative instruction is at or below this value, then the execution unit may safely speculatively execute this instruction while avoiding a check stop since all the addresses at or below this value are known to exist in physical memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald N. Kalla, Cathy May, Balaram Sinharoy, Edward John Silha, Shih-Hsiung S. Tung
  • Patent number: 7835453
    Abstract: A driver circuit is configured as a frequency compensated differential amplifier having one input coupled to a first data signal and a second input coupled to a second data signal. Each stage of the differential amplifier is biased with a current source. The driver circuit generates a first output signal coupled to the input of a first transmission line and a second output signal coupled to the input of a second transmission line. The first and second output signals are generated as the difference between the first and second data signals amplified by a compensated gain. A compensation network that attenuates the low frequency components of the input signals relative to the high frequency components is coupled between current sources biasing the differential amplifier. The outputs of the first and second transmission lines are coupled to the inputs of a differential receiver that may or may not be frequency compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anand Haridass, Bao G. Truong, Joel D. Ziegelbein
  • Patent number: 7809743
    Abstract: A mechanism is presented for merging e-mail messages into a collated file. An e-mail message and its associated responses may be accessed and collated based on a selected pattern for responses. The set of e-mails may be collated into a single document with the responses associated with the particular message to which the response is directed. Using pattern matching operations in an iterative fashion, a response may be associated with the message that elicited the response whether the original message or a previous response. The form of association may be user selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Louis Truty
  • Patent number: 7748444
    Abstract: A wellhead system has a wellhead of a subterranean hydrocarbon well, a coiled tubing hanger in the wellhead, a coiled tubing hanger extension connected to a top portion of the coiled tubing hanger, a first seal inside the coiled tubing hanger extension, the first seal and the coiled tubing hanger extension defining a sealed space in the coiled tubing hanger extension. Coiled tubing extends into the sealed space in the coiled tubing hanger extension and being suspended by the coiled tubing hanger and the coiled tubing hanger extension, the coiled tubing extending into the wellhead. A downhole electrical cable extends through the coiled tubing and into the sealed space in the coiled tubing hanger extension. An electrical connector extends through the seal and is connected electrically to the cable. The electrical connector has an electrical circuit having an electrically open and an electrically closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Scott, David B. Pye, Joseph A. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 7740075
    Abstract: An embodiment of a valve that is operable from one position to another position upon relief of an applied pressure includes a housing having a bore; a valve member disposed with the housing, wherein the valve member is actuated to one position in response to a certain applied pressure and actuates toward another position upon relief of the certain applied pressure; and a relief system relieving the pressure applied to the valve member when the applied pressure falls below a selected pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Paul G. Goughnour, Russell A. Johnston
  • Patent number: 7712532
    Abstract: Method and system for use in a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore. An energized fluid, which when subjected to a low pressure environment liberates or releases gas from solution, is disposed in the formation. Reduced pressure in a region of the wellbore below pressure in the surrounding formation liberates a gas in the energized fluid near a tunnel created in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ian C. Walton
  • Patent number: 7543652
    Abstract: A subsurface annular safety barrier for controlling fluid flow in the tubing-casing annulus in an annular flow well. The barrier may be positioned proximate the top of a formation to block fluid flow through the annulus upon loss of casing integrity. An embodiment of the annular safety barrier includes a packer and a valve, wherein the valve is operated to a closed position without mechanical manipulation of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Krawiec, Dwayne D. Leismer, Youel G. Hilsman
  • Patent number: 7428921
    Abstract: A well treatment system of the present invention includes a housing forming a sealed surge chamber, and a surge charge disposed within the sealed surge chamber, wherein the surge charge is adapted upon activation to penetrate the housing and to not penetrate material exterior of the housing. Fluid communication is created between the surge chamber and the wellbore when the housing is penetrated by the surge charge. The penetration permits wellbore fluid to flow quickly into the surge chamber. Fluid flow into the surge chamber may enhance a surge of flow from the formation into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brenden M. Grove, Mark C. Duhon, Lawrence A. Behrmann, Claude D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7429030
    Abstract: A variable radial flow rate control valve including a body forming a bore along the longitudinal axis thereof for transporting a fluid through the body, a fixed choke member fixedly positioned about the bore, the fixed choke member forming a fixed aperture, a rotational choke member rotationally positioned about the bore, the rotational choke member forming a rotational aperture radially corresponding to the fixed aperture, wherein a fluid passage is formed radially between the bore and the exterior of the body when the corresponding apertures overlap. The rotational choke member is rotatably, but not axially, moveable in relation to the fixed choke member between variable radial flow rate positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Alok Dwivedi
  • Patent number: 7372031
    Abstract: A sensitive photon detection system generates an electronic photon sensor signal as a K factor times a number N photons per unit time. The system is configured by combining a separate optical amplifier with a gain factor K1 with a photo detector with a gain factor K2 such that K may be realized as the product of K1 and K2. The values of K1 and K2 are chosen to meet a predetermined K while optimizing a signal quality of the photon sensor signal. The optical amplifier may be preceded by a photon gathering device and/or a light chopping device to further optimize system performance. Further, the photon sensor signal may be further processed analog circuitry or may be digitized and processed using digital signal processing to generate an enhanced photon sensor signal with enhanced signal quality by adding gain and/or bandwidth limiting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Stephen A. Cerwin, David B. Chang
  • Patent number: 7262003
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing Bacopa monnieri response to abiotic stress factors and for testing bioactivity of natural, synthetic and semisynthetic compounds using Bacopa monnieri plant, which comprises growing the said plant and plant parts aseptically in MS 0 basal medium with agar in microcentrifuge tubes by adding the compounds to be tested either to the culture media or by spraying the said compounds on the plant or plant parts or on the said medium to detect the distinct morphological and cytological responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Sushil Kumar, Suman Preet Singh Khanuja, Mahendra Pandurang Darokar, Tiruppadiripuliyur Ranganathan Santha Kumar, Anita Gangwar, Ajit Kumar Shasany, Srilekha Mishra, Shalini Mathur, Dharmendra Saikia
  • Patent number: 7247384
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a practical method of grafting oligo- and/or poly(ethyleneglycol) (OEG and/or PEG) derivatives onto hydrogen-terminated silicon surfaces, including the surfaces of silicon scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tips, by hydrosilylation of OEG and/or PEG-terminated alkenes. This invention is related to the development of silicon-based bio-devices, including biochips, biosensors such as SPM probes, microarrays, micro-fluidic systems, and implantable microdevices. This invention is also a practical method to modify (many) SPM probe tips with OEG/PEG derivatives and to subsequently modify the tip apex with functional single molecules to improve the specificity and resolution of AFM imaging and measurements. The functional molecules include the dendritic adsorbates with a functional group at their focal point and with or without a tripod-shaped framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The University of Houston
    Inventors: Chengzhi Cai, Chi Ming Yam, Zhongdang Xiao, Jianhua Gu
  • Patent number: 7240299
    Abstract: A two part method for improving the usage of a pointing device by a physically impaired user is disclosed. A first method is provided for learning how a user moves the pointing device by acquiring motion data for a user and generating motion vectors corresponding to when the user moves from source point icons to destination point icons. A second method of combining the learned user motion data with an application program where the user navigates the pointing device to select program icons on a graphical user interface (GUI) screen is provided. The method determines when the actual motion vector is similar to a previously acquired motion vector with a similar source point. The method predicts a destination point icon and highlights and locks the prediction icon until the user either actuates the iconor generates motion vectors that indicate that another destination point icon is the more likely destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Kenneth Abrams
  • Patent number: 7240087
    Abstract: A communication network implements a timing system that closely approximates network response times so that information may be transmitted between two data processing systems within the network in a timely and efficient manner. During operation of the communication network, a sending data processing system sends query data to a receiving data processing system. A response timer within the sending data processing system is initialized to track the query operation. If the receiving data processing system provides a response to the sending data processing system before the response timer expires, the timing implemented for data communications is proper for the communication network. However, if the receiving data processing system fails to provide a response within a time specified by the response timer, the transmitting data processing system resends a query frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Dean Walker
  • Patent number: 7231986
    Abstract: The system including a well tool having a housing forming a protection fluid chamber in fluid communication with a discharge port, a protection fluid disposed within the protection fluid chamber, and a moveable mechanism in functional connection with the protection fluid chamber in a manner to expel a portion of the protection fluid when the moveable mechanism moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Read, Jr., Michael H. Du
  • Patent number: 7214749
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel composition, and to a method of making the composition, the composition being useful in catalyst systems for the homopolymerization and/or copolymerization of olefins, wherein such catalyst systems display a higher level of activity and stereoselectivity than previously reported. The present invention is also directed to novel polymeric compositions made with such catalyst systems, such as a novel syndiotactic polypropylene that melts at temperatures higher than previously reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University Systems
    Inventors: Stephen A. Miller, Levi J. Irwin
  • Patent number: 7208972
    Abstract: Two or more integrated circuit (IC) chips are separated by a significant distance relative to their communication frequency such that pseudo-differential signaling is used to improve signal detection. A derived reference voltage is generated that tracks the variations of the driver and receiver side power supply variations that normally reduce noise margins. The derived reference voltage is filtered to reduce high frequency response and coupled as the reference to differential receivers used to detect the logic levels of the communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Anand Haridass, Bao G. Truong
  • Patent number: 7198045
    Abstract: A low pressure hyperbaric chambers and methods of using same are disclosed. The present invention provides means for designing, building, and using low pressure chambers suitable for use in managing pain associated with medical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventors: Hollis Parker Risley, Maurice Ernest Parks
  • Patent number: 7194725
    Abstract: A method of producing design rules including generating a plurality of parametrically varying geometric layouts and simulating how each geometric layout will pattern on a wafer. Edges of structures within the simulated geometric layouts can be classified based on manufacturability and design rules can be created to disallow layouts demonstrating poor manufacturability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd P. Lukanc, Cyrus E. Tabery, Luigi Capodieci, Carl Babcock, Hung-eil Kim, Christopher A. Spence, Chris Haidinyak
  • Patent number: 7194619
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for remotely booting devices. A deployment server may remotely transmit authentication parameter(s), e.g., public key, secret key, to a service unit configured to establish a private connection between server blades and the deployment server. The service unit may remotely install the authentication parameter(s) onto the server blade(s) to be booted by either the deployment server or another boot server. By the service unit remotely installing the authentication parameter(s) onto the server blade(s), the need to manually install them during each network boot operation may be alleviated. By remotely transmitting authentication parameter(s) instead of manually installing them on the devices to be booted during each network boot operation, the deployment server may be able to generate unique authentication parameter(s), e.g., public/private key pair, secret key, for each network boot operation thereby substantially reducing the exposure to replay attacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Abbondanzio, Simon C. Chu, Gregory William Dake, Michael David Day, II, William Joseph Piazza, Gregory Brian Pruett, David B. Rhoades