Patents by Inventor Samuel L. Mullis
Samuel L. Mullis 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).
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Patent number: 11886703Abstract: A method is used in managing storage space in storage systems. Storage space reserved by a storage object from a set of storage tiers is evaluated. A data storage system includes the first and second storage tiers configured such that performance characteristics associated with the first storage tier is different from the second storage tier. Based on the evaluation, storage space available and consumed in each storage tier of the set of storage tiers is determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, David Haase, Michael C. Brundage, Dayanand Suldhal
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Patent number: 11537300Abstract: Techniques are used for identifying allocated blocks in a storage system. The techniques may be used to provide, among other things, retrieval of a value associated with a most recent reinitialization of the storage system. For a tier of user data storage in the storage system, a page of storage with the value and a marker indicating that the page marks an end of storage that has been allocated for the tier of user data storage may be identified. Storage may be allocated from a page immediately preceding the identified page.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Ashok Tamilarasan, Philippe Armangau, Vamsi K. Vankamamidi, Samuel L. Mullis, II
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Publication number: 20220350508Abstract: Techniques are used for identifying allocated blocks in a storage system. The techniques may be used to provide, among other things, retrieval of a value associated with a most recent reinitialization of the storage system. For a tier of user data storage in the storage system, a page of storage with the value and a marker indicating that the page marks an end of storage that has been allocated for the tier of user data storage may be identified. Storage may be allocated from a page immediately preceding the identified page.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Ashok Tamilarasan, Philippe Armangau, Vamsi K. Vankamamidi, Samuel L. Mullis, II
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Patent number: 10452494Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing storage object recovery. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a technique comprising allocating a scratch space to support recovery of a storage object, wherein the storage object comprises a set of slices and the scratch space is distinct with respect to the set of slices such that a slice allocator for allocating slices to and/or from the storage object is unaware of the existence of the scratch space. The technique also comprises taking offline the storage object for facilitating recovery of the storage object after at least a portion of the set of slices have been allocated. The technique further comprises performing a storage object recovery procedure to recover the storage object while the storage object is offline. The storage object recovery procedure utilizing the scratch space that was allocated to support the storage object recovery.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Charles Christopher Bailey, Miles Aram DeForest
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Patent number: 9864643Abstract: Embodiments are directed to methods for allowing an I/O path of a data storage system to directly modify an object model while bypassing the highly-contested transaction lock used by a control path. This may be done by introducing a local lock to be used for individual resources within the object model. The control path also uses this local lock mechanism (in the context of a transaction lock) for essential resources that might be accessed by the I/O path in order to avoid accessing a given essential resource at the same time as the I/O path. A data storage system, apparatus, and computer program product for performing similar methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Miles A. de Forest
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Patent number: 9842028Abstract: There is disclosed a computer-implemented method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for use in storage object recovery. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining that a storage object requires recovery, wherein the storage object comprises a dedicated recovery area at a fixed location. The method further comprises taking offline the storage object in response to determining that the storage object requires recovery. The method still further comprises performing a recovery procedure to recover the storage object, the recovery procedure utilizing the dedicated recovery area to support storage object recovery.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Charles Christopher Bailey, Miles Aram DeForest
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Patent number: 9696906Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving a storage operation request for a logical storage object. A storage insurance value is associated with the logical storage object. The storage operation request is processed to associate a storage liability value with the storage operation request. Whether the storage operation request should be effectuated is determined based, at least in part, upon the storage liability value and the storage insurance value.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Ivan Bassov, Jean-Pierre Bono, Miles A. de Forest, Walter C. Forrester, Samuel L. Mullis, II
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Patent number: 9641404Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable medium for optimizing storage allocations based on system resources are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for dynamic, policy-based allocation of system resources. The method includes maintaining statistics in connection with like system resources. Each of the system resources having associated statistics that are suitable for describing a relationship with an allocatable class of resource. A request is received for a resource. In response to receiving the request, one of the like system resources is selected, based on the statistics and a policy, as a best system resource in connection with the allocatable class of resource.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLCInventors: Charles Christopher Bailey, Jason L. Taylor, Samuel L. Mullis, II, Miles Aram DeForest, Jackson Brandon Myers
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Patent number: 9449011Abstract: A method is used in managing data deduplication in storage systems. A data deduplication process is performed by applying a deduplicating technique to data of a deduplication domain. The data deduplication process is scheduled based on a priority. Characteristics of data deduplication performed by the data deduplication process are evaluated. Based on the evaluation, execution of the data deduplication process is effected.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Xiangping Chen, Richard P. Ruef, Samuel L. Mullis, Aron A. Suliman, Monica Chaudhary
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Patent number: 8977812Abstract: A method is used in iterating in parallel for deduplication. Based on an iteration scheme, a collection of sections is selected from a set of storage extents. Each section of the collection of sections includes subset of the contents of a storage extent of the set of storage extents. Based on the iteration scheme, each section of the collection of sections is arranged in an ordered arrangement. Based on the ordered arrangement, a deduplicating technique is applied in parallel to each section of the collection of sections.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Xiangping Chen, Miles A. de Forest, Siyu Zhou, Samuel L. Mullis, Brian M. Spadafora, Li Wan
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Patent number: 8799521Abstract: A peripheral device includes a file system manager, a command interpreter, and a controller. The peripheral device receives file access commands from a host device. The file system manager determines if the file access commands have embedded control commands and, if so, extracts the control commands. The file system manager sends the control commands to the command interpreter. Based on analyzing the commands, the command interpreter causes the controller to perform a selected function at the peripheral device.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Philip Elcan
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Patent number: 8473678Abstract: A method is used in managing multi-tiered storage pool provisioning. One or more physical devices of a data storage system are configured for use in connection with provisioning a storage pool. A provisioning specification is received describing a RAID type and an auto-tiering selection. A rule is received describing one or more sets of data storage system best practices. Each of the one or more sets specifies data storage system best practices for a different type of data storage system including a first type associated with the data storage system. Configuration processing is performed in connection with initialization of the data storage system to configure a first portion of the one or more physical devices for use with auto-tiering in the storage pool. A rules engine and best practices for the first type of data storage system specified in the rule are used in performing the configuration processing.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Vinod K. Rajasekaran, Michael J. Lanni, Jeffrey K. Janvrin, Samuel L. Mullis
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Patent number: 8171502Abstract: One or more custom device drivers for a peripheral device may be installed from the peripheral device onto a host computer. Upon connecting the peripheral device to the host computer, an operating system of the host computer is exposed to a default configuration of the peripheral device that contains only a device driver class interface or interfaces for which the operating system includes preinstalled class level device drivers. The peripheral device then receives an install command from the host computer, and automatically transmits one or more custom device drivers from the peripheral device to the host computer. In response to receipt of a change command from the host computer, the configuration of the peripheral device is changed to an alternate configuration that includes interfaces for the custom device drivers.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, William Lennon, Philip Elcan
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Publication number: 20110276724Abstract: A host connects to a peripheral device having upgraded firmware. The host also includes a device driver to communicate with the peripheral device. If the device drivers currently installed on the host are not compatible with the upgraded firmware, upgraded device drivers are automatically downloaded to the host from the peripheral device. Once installed on the host, the peripheral device is reset and the upgraded device drivers are used to communicate with the peripheral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Philip Elcan
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Patent number: 8010959Abstract: A host connects to a peripheral device having upgraded firmware. The host also includes a device driver to communicate with the peripheral device. If the device drivers currently installed on the host are not compatible with the upgraded firmware, upgraded device drivers are automatically downloaded to the host from the peripheral device. Once installed on the host, the peripheral device is reset and the upgraded device drivers are used to communicate with the peripheral device.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Philip Elcan
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Patent number: 7873841Abstract: A USB bus-powered device in Suspend state that requires active bus state power levels, but has no data transfer need, may initiate Resume signaling to return a USB bus segment to active state, without transferring any data across the bus. A device driver considers both USB device power needs and data transfer activity in deciding to Globally or Selectively Suspend a bus or bus segment. In particular, upon deciding to Suspend a bonus or bus segment, the device driver queries a USB bus-powered device. If the device will require active bus mode power within a predetermined duration, the device will indicate to the device driver to remain an active mode. In this case, the device driver does not direct the USB host to Suspend the bus.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Mark Steven Frisbee
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Patent number: 7734698Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods, terminals and circuits for updating provisioning data of a mobile terminal. A network initiated subsequent provisioning message requesting that the mobile terminal initiate a session to update the provisioning data of the mobile terminal is received and it is determined if the mobile terminal is executing a foreground data application utilizing a current registered Internet Protocol (IP) session. An IP session is selectively initiated to update the provisioning data of the mobile terminal based on the determination of whether the mobile terminal is executing a foreground data application utilizing a current registered IP session.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, II, Scott G. Hicks
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Patent number: 7623526Abstract: A communication device includes a network interface that communicatively interfaces an IP protocol layer and an SMS protocol stack. The network interface includes an adaptation layer that receives IP packets from the IP protocol layer, and outputs the IP packets to the SMS protocol stack. A transmitter circuit transmits the SMS messages, which encapsulate the IP packets, to a remote device via a communication network. The adaptation layer also receives specially designated SMS messages from the SMS protocol stack. The received SMS messages include encapsulated IP packets. Upon receipt, the adaptation layer processes the SMS messages, and delivers the IP packets decapsulated from the SMS messages to an application through the IP protocol layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Ryan Rangel, Samuel L. Mullis, II
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Publication number: 20080127165Abstract: A host connects to a peripheral device having upgraded firmware. The host also includes a device driver to communicate with the peripheral device. If the device drivers currently installed on the host are not compatible with the upgraded firmware, upgraded device drivers are automatically downloaded to the host from the peripheral device. Once installed on the host, the peripheral device is reset and the upgraded device drivers are used to communicate with the peripheral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, Philip Elcan
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Publication number: 20080126584Abstract: A peripheral device includes a file system manager, a command interpreter, and a controller. The peripheral device receives file access commands from a host device. The file system manager determines if the file access commands have embedded control commands and, if so, extracts the control commands. The file system manager sends the control commands to the command interpreter. Based on analyzing the commands, the command interpreter causes the controller to perform a selected function at the peripheral device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications ABInventors: Samuel L. Mullis, Philip Elcan