Patents by Inventor Kenneth Ma

Kenneth Ma 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).

  • Publication number: 20060230136
    Abstract: Herein described is a method and system for archiving data files into a data storage device. The data storage device acts as a central depository where the data files may be archived by one or more data computing devices. The data storage device may be communicatively coupled to the one or more data computing devices in a network. The method may utilize one or more intelligent algorithms to prioritize which data files in a data computing device are archived into the data storage device. Further, a method and system for swapping data files between a data computing device and a data storage device is presented. An embodiment of a system comprises a first processor in a data computing device, a first software resident in said data computing device, a data storage device, a second processor in said data storage device, and a second software resident in said data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20060136767
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing adaptive memory power management in a system employing a CPU and a memory subsystem. A CPU throttle control (THR) module generates a CPU throttle control signal indicating when the CPU is idle. A memory controller (MC) module generates memory power management signals based on at least one of the CPU throttle control signal, memory read/write signals, memory access break events, and bus master access requests. Certain portions of the memory subsystem are powered down in response to the memory power management signals. Memory power management is performed on a time segment by time segment basis to achieve efficient power management of the memory subsystem during CPU run time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20060107293
    Abstract: Herein described is a system and a method of storing and distributing multimedia data selections to the tenants or occupants of a multi-unit building. The multi-unit building may comprise a hotel, motel, office complex, or apartment complex, for example. The storage capacity of the data storage device may be easily expanded by way of adding one or more additional hard disk drives. The data storage device may be conveniently located in a front office or manager's office of the multi-unit building. The system distributes one or more of the stored multimedia data selections to one or more display devices communicatively coupled to the data storage device. Each of the one or more display devices may be located in corresponding units of the multi-unit building. The one or more display devices are used to view the multimedia data selections requested by a tenant or occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Patent number: 7028200
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing adaptive memory power management in a system employing a CPU and a memory subsystem. A CPU throttle control (THR) module generates a CPU throttle control signal indicating when the CPU is idle. A memory controller (MC) module generates memory power management signals based on at least one of the CPU throttle control signal, memory read/write signals, memory access break events, and bus master access requests. Certain portions of the memory subsystem are powered down in response to the memory power management signals. Memory power management is performed on a time segment by time segment basis to achieve efficient power management of the memory subsystem during CPU run time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Patent number: 7010708
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing adaptive run-time power management in a system employing a CPU and an operating system. A CPU cycle tracker (CCT) module monitors critical CPU signals and generates CPU performance data based on the critical CPU signals. An adaptive CPU throttler (THR) module uses the CPU performance data, along with a CPU percent idle value fed back from the operating system, to generate a CPU throttle control signal during predefined run-time segments of the CPU run time. The CPU throttle control signal links back to the CPU and adaptively adjusts CPU throttling and, therefore, power usage of the CPU during each of the run-time segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Patent number: 6971033
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing dynamic arbitration of memory accesses by a CPU and at least one bus master interface module based on, at least in part, monitoring a CPU throttle control signal and monitoring CPU power and performance states, and making decisions based on the monitored parameters. Bus master memory access break events and memory read and write accesses are also monitored as part of the arbitration process in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. An arbitration (ARB) module performs the dynamic arbitration. A CPU throttle control module generates the CPU throttle control signal, indicating when the CPU is idle, and also monitors and outputs the CPU power and performance states. A memory controller (MC) module controls accesses to the memory subsystem based on, at least in part, the dynamic arbitration performed by the dynamic arbitration module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050262322
    Abstract: Herein described are at least a method and a system of replacing or upgrading one or more data storage drives used in a data storage device using a minimum of steps. Various aspects of the present invention describe a method of replacing or upgrading a data storage drive in a data storage device. One method utilizes an interim storage facility, provided by one or more data storage drives within the data storage device, to temporarily store data associated with the data storage drive to be replaced. Alternatively, the method may utilize a device external to the data storage device, to temporarily store data associated with the data storage drive to be replaced. One system of increasing data storage capacity of a data storage device uses a memory, software instructions resident in the memory, a processor used to execute the software instructions, and one or more data storage drives within said data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050262366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing dynamic arbitration of memory accesses by a CPU and at least one bus master interface module based on, at least in part, monitoring a CPU throttle control signal and monitoring CPU power and performance states, and making decisions based on the monitored parameters. Bus master memory access break events and memory read and write accesses are also monitored as part of the arbitration process in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. An arbitration (ARB) module performs the dynamic arbitration. A CPU throttle control module generates the CPU throttle control signal, indicating when the CPU is idle, and also monitors and outputs the CPU power and performance states. A memory controller (MC) module controls accesses to the memory subsystem based on, at least in part, the dynamic arbitration performed by the dynamic arbitration module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050256983
    Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide a plurality of systems and methods of selectively enabling access to data stored in a data storage device, by one or more data processing devices communicatively coupled to the data storage device. In a representative embodiment, selective access to one or more data pools may be made as a function of one or more interfaces of the data storage device. In a representative embodiment, selective access to one or more data pools may be made as a function of one or more data file types associated with one or more data pools of the data storage device. In a representative embodiment, access to data stored in one or more data pools of the data storage device may be based on or associated with one or more types networks associated with the data storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050257013
    Abstract: Herein described is a method and system of prioritizing access to data stored in one or more data processing devices communicatively coupled to the data storage device. The method may be based on the type of data file accessed. Prioritization may be based on data pool or share names. Further, one or more data ports of the data storage device may be used to prioritize access to one or more data files stored in the data storage device. The system may comprise a storage device, one or more data processing devices requesting data file access from the data storage device, a software resident in a memory of the data storage device, a processor executing the software, and a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Patent number: 6959395
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for conditionally enabling/disabling PCI power management in a computer-based system employing a central resource and an operating system. Non-CLKRUN# compatible PCI devices in the system are identified and whether or not the non-CLKRUN# compatible PCI devices are enabled is determined. The CLKRUN# support capability of the central resource, if available, is enabled or disabled based on, at least in part, the established status of the non-CLKRUN# compatible PCI devices. If enabled, PCI power management is provided by the CLKRUN# support capability according to the PCI CLKRUN# protocol for all CLKRUN# compatible PCI devices present in the computer-based system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050231849
    Abstract: Herein described is at least a method and a system of providing a graphical user interface which may be used in the management of one or more data storage drives or hard disk drives. In a representative embodiment, a method of modifying the size of a data pool comprises using a point and click device on a graphical user interface. In a representative embodiment, a system for resizing the storage capacity allocated for a data pool comprises a memory, software instructions resident in the memory, and a processor capable of executing the software instructions. A user interface, capable of resizing the storage capacity of the data pool, is generated when executing the software instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Viresh Rustagi, Christopher Wilson, Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050235336
    Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide a system, apparatus, and method of storing data in a storage device for use by one or more data processing devices, such as person video recorders, communicatively coupled to the data storage device. In a representative embodiment, the method comprises receiving data from the one or more personal video recorders, and storing the received data in the storage device, wherein the storage device acts as a centralized facility for storing data provided by the one or more personal video recorders. In a representative embodiment, a system for implementing a centralized storage mechanism used by one or more personal video recorders comprises a storage device comprising one or more storage drives and one or more switching devices that provides communicative coupling between the storage device and the one or more personal video recorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050229165
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for instrumenting a program by optimizing probe insertion. The number of probe insertions into instrumented code is reduced by providing optimal probe insertion points. The control flow of the code is analyzed along with the arc and block relationships to build a post-dominator tree. An optimization map is generated from the post-dominator tree that provides the optimal probe insertion points. Once the probes are inserted and data is collected by running the binary representing the code and probes, the data may be overlaid onto the optimization map and arc and block relationships to provide code coverage data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Ma, Stephen Schertz
  • Publication number: 20050216719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing adaptive run-time power management in a system employing a CPU and an operating system. A CPU cycle tracker (CCT) module monitors critical CPU signals and generates CPU performance data based on the critical CPU signals. An adaptive CPU throttler (THR) module uses the CPU performance data, along with a CPU percent idle value fed back from the operating system, to generate a CPU throttle control signal during predefined run-time segments of the CPU run time. The CPU throttle control signal links back to the CPU and adaptively adjusts CPU throttling and, therefore, power usage of the CPU during each of the run-time segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050160405
    Abstract: A system and method for instrumenting a software build to automatically generate code coverage data without the use of external code coverage tools is presented. A software build is generated. The software build is independently executable. The software build is then instrumented to automatically generate code coverage data when executed. The instrumented software is executable independent of any external code coverage tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Pankaj Lunia, Nathan Nesbit, Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050066071
    Abstract: One or more methods and systems of providing a conditioned power source to an external card that is communicatively connected to a host computing device by way of an external card adaptor are presented. The system and method facilitates the use of an external card having a connector that is incompatible with a PC card connector provided by the host computing device. In one or more embodiments, the external card adaptor performs power conditioning and/or voltage conversions of one or more power signal inputs provided by the host computing device. The power conditioning is performed using a power conditioning circuitry while the voltage conversions are performed using a voltage conversion circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Yossi Cohen, Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20050021940
    Abstract: One or more systems and methods are disclosed to securely authenticate one or more wireless communication devices using a subscriber identification mechanism provided by a wireless communication device. The subscriber identification mechanism provides one or more keys and algorithms used in the authentication of a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the subscriber identification mechanism comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM) card capable of being easily inserted into a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, wireless signal transmission occurs over a GSM/GPRS/EDGE network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20040252838
    Abstract: One or more systems and methods are disclosed to provide secure transmission of signals by a primary wireless communication device that utilizes a secure multi-tier signal encryption mechanism. A secondary signal encryption mechanism of a secondary wireless communication device generates an intermediary algorithmic output required in the encryption processing at a primary signal encryption mechanism of a primary wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the secondary signal encryption mechanism comprises a subscriber identity module (SIM) card. In one embodiment, wireless signal transmission occurs over a GSM/GPRS/EDGE network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth Ma
  • Publication number: 20040240404
    Abstract: A method for use by one peer of peer wireless interfaces devices of a wireless communication device to cooperatively provide wireless communications in a multiple wireless communication environment with other peers of the peer wireless interface devices begins by initiating an atomic sequence of a plurality of atomic sequences. The processing continues by setting a priority level corresponding to the atomic sequence to produce a corresponding priority level. The processing continues by sensing priority level of at least one of the other peers to produce a sensed priority level. The processing continues by comparing the sensed priority level with the corresponding priority level. The processing then continues by performing at least a portion of the atomic sequence when the comparing of the sensed priority level with the corresponding priority level is favorable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Brima B. Ibrahim, Kenneth Ma