Patents by Inventor Anthony G. Sumpter

Anthony G. Sumpter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9984431
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a graphics-processing unit (GPU) in a computer system. During operation, the system predicts an incoming workload to the GPU. Next, the system identifies an operational floor for the GPU based on the incoming workload. Finally, the system uses the operational floor to configure the subsequent execution of the GPU, wherein the operational floor facilitates processing of the incoming workload by the GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 9529646
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Publication number: 20160042489
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a graphics-processing unit (GPU) in a computer system. During operation, the system predicts an incoming workload to the GPU. Next, the system identifies an operational floor for the GPU based on the incoming workload. Finally, the system uses the operational floor to configure the subsequent execution of the GPU, wherein the operational floor facilitates processing of the incoming workload by the GPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ian C. Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 9196013
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that configures a graphics-processing unit (GPU) in a computer system. During operation, the system predicts an incoming workload to the GPU. Next, the system identifies an operational floor for the GPU based on the incoming workload. Finally, the system uses the operational floor to configure the subsequent execution of the GPU, wherein the operational floor facilitates processing of the incoming workload by the GPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian C. Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Publication number: 20130283290
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 8484647
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Publication number: 20110023040
    Abstract: A technique for processing instructions in an electronic system is provided. In one embodiment, a processor of the electronic system may submit a unit of work to a queue accessible by a coprocessor, such as a graphics processing unit. The coprocessor may process work from the queue, and write a completion record into a memory accessible by the processor. The electronic system may be configured to switch between a polling mode and an interrupt mode based on progress made by the coprocessor in processing the work. In one embodiment, the processor may switch from an interrupt mode to a polling mode upon completion of a threshold amount of work by the coprocessor. Various additional methods, systems, and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, Anthony G. Sumpter
  • Patent number: 7206906
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for registering requests to access physical memory in a physical address mapping framework. Specifically, a device can register in the physical address mapping framework before accessing physical memory, thus permitting an operating system to identify the device when it is necessary to relocate pages in physical memory. The physical address mapping framework can be any structure that permits registration. For example, the structure can be a list or a tree. When relocating physical memory, all accesses registered in the physical address mapping framework are restricted. Then, the device is notified to stop accessing physical memory via information stored in the physical address mapping framework. After the relocation, the device is notified to resume accessing physical memory via information stored in the physical address mapping framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Udayakumar Cholleti, Michael T. Clayton, Anthony G. Sumpter