Patents by Inventor William Boyd

William Boyd 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: 20070097949
    Abstract: A method is directed to use of a master root node, in a distributed computer system provided with multiple root nodes, to control the configuration of routings through an I/O switched-fabric. One of the root nodes is designated as the master root node or PCI Configuration Manager (PCM), and is operable to carry out the configuration while each of the other root nodes remains in a quiescent or inactive state. In one useful embodiment pertaining to a system of the above type, that includes multiple root nodes, PCI switches, and PCI adapters available for sharing by different root nodes, a method is provided wherein the master root node is operated to configure routings through the PCI switches. Respective routings are configured between respective root nodes and the PCI adapters, wherein each of the configured routings corresponds to only one of the root nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070097948
    Abstract: System and method for managing routing of data in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A physical tree that is indicative of a physical configuration of the distributed computing system is determined, and a virtual tree is created from the physical tree. The virtual tree is then modified to change an association between at least one source device and at least one target device in the virtual tree. A validation mechanism validates the changed association between the at least one source device and the at least one target device to enable routing of data from the at least one source device to the at least one target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070101016
    Abstract: In a distributed computer system having multiple root nodes, a challenge protocol is provided, for use in determining or confirming the root node in which a PCI Configuration Manager (PCM) actually resides. This node is referred to as the master node. The challenge procedure is activated whenever the identity of the PCM, which is determined by the root node in which it resides, appears to be uncertain. The challenge procedure resolves this uncertainty, and enables the PCM to continue to configure routings throughout the system. In a useful embodiment, a method is directed to a distributed computer system of the above type which is further provided with PCI switches and with adapters that are available for sharing by different nodes. The method includes the steps of selecting a first one of the root nodes to be master root node, and operating the first root node to query the configuration space of a particular one of the PCI switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070097950
    Abstract: Method and system for address routing in a distributed computing system, such as a distributed computing system that uses PCI Express protocol to communicate over an I/O fabric. A destination identifier is provided to identify a physical or virtual host or end point. When a physical or virtual host or end point receives a PCI data packet it compares a list of source identifiers with destination identifiers to determine if a source identifier included in the transaction packet is associated with a destination identifier included in the transaction packet to determine if the transaction packet has a valid association. If the transaction packet has a valid association, it is routed to the target device. The present invention enables each host that attaches to PCI bridges or switches and shares a set of common PCI devices to have its own PCI 64-bit address space and enables the routing of PCI transaction packets between multiple hosts and adapters, through a PCI switched-fabric bus using a destination identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070082752
    Abstract: Grooves made for irons and drivers of golf clubs are adjusted so they will give a desirable rotation for the golf ball after impact. Beside the other possible adjustments that I mention, the grooves will primarily have one wall slanted to the other wall. This will allow the ball to release in a direction and or intensity level different than the standard grooves. In the United States Golf Association the golf irons and drivers have different rules and regulations than golf putters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventor: William Boyd
  • Publication number: 20070078892
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product that enables user space middleware or applications to pass file name based storage requests directly to a physical I/O Adapter without run-time involvement from the local Operating System (OS) are provided. A mechanism is provided for using a file protection table (FPT) data structure, which may include a file name protection table (FNPT) and file extension protection table (FEPT), to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. In addition, a mechanism is provided for managing the FPT based on user space operations to create, query, modify and delete entries in the FPT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070061493
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product that enables user space middleware or applications to pass file name based storage requests directly to a physical I/O Adapter without run-time involvement from the local Operating System (OS) are provided. A mechanism is provided for using a file protection table (FPT) data structure, which may include a file name protection table (FNPT) and file extension protection table (FEPT), to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. The FNPT has an entry for each file managed by the OS? file system and points to a segment of the FEPT. Each entry in the FEPT may include a protection domain, along with other protection table context information, against which I/O requests may be checked to determine if an application instance that submitted the I/O requests may access the file identified in the I/O requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070057361
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package that comprises a lead frame. The lead frame has a downset portion and leads. The downset portion has an exterior surface that is configured to face away from a mounting board, and an interior surface that is configured to face towards the mounting board. The leads are bent away from the exterior surface, and each of the leads have a first end coupled to an IC and a second end configured to pass through one of a plurality of mounting holes extending through the mounting board. The IC is coupled to the interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernhard Lange, William Boyd
  • Publication number: 20070050591
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product that enables user space middleware or applications to pass I/O storage requests directly to a network attached storage device via a storage server that performs authentication are provided. A mechanism is provided for using a translation protection table (TPT) data structure, which may include a file name protection table (FNPT) and file extension protection table (FEPT), or logical volume protection table (LVPT), to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. The storage server performs authentication of an application instance's request to open an operating system logical volume and, upon being authenticated, permits the application instance to submit I/O storage requests via the TPT to the opened OS logical volume. I/O storage requests are translated into storage commands using the TPT and the storage commands are encapsulated for transmission via one or more networks to the storage server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070027952
    Abstract: A method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided for distributing I/O fabric errors to the appropriate root nodes in a multi-root environment. The case where the I/O fabric is attached to more than one root node and where each root can potentially share with the other roots the I/O adapter (IOA) resources which are attached to the I/O is addressed. Additionally, a method, mechanism and computer usable medium is provided by which errors detected in an I/O fabric may be routed to all root nodes which may be affected by the error, while not being reported to the root nodes that will not be affected by those errors. In particular, distributed computing system which uses the PCI Express protocol to communicate over the I/O fabric is addressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070019637
    Abstract: A mechanism, method and computer usable medium is provided for each root node of a multiple root node system and its own independent address space. This mechanism also allows multiple system images within the same root node to have their own independent address spaces. A mechanism is also provided for incorporating legacy root node and input/output adapters that are non-aware of the mechanisms introduced by this invention. Input/ output adapters which implement this invention may also have the number of functions that they support greatly expanded beyond the present eight functions per input/output adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, Douglas Freimuth, William Holland, Steven Hunter, Renato Recio, Steven Thurber, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20070005815
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. Specifically, a mechanism for providing and using a linear block address (LBA) translation protection table (TPT) to control out of user space I/O operations is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the LBATPT includes an adapter protection table that has entries for each portion of a storage device and a corresponding LBA table having entries for identifying the linear block addresses associated with an adapter protection table entry. Table entries are correlated with one another using an LBA table pointer. Adapter protection table entries are associated with application instances using a key instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060288125
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for determining whether a user space operation is a resource management operation of a work processing operation. If the user space operation is a resource management operation, appropriate functions are performed to either query, create, modify or destroy resource allocations in the I/O adapter. If the user space operation is a work processing operation, appropriate functions are performed to either create work queue entries and inform the I/O adapter of the work queue entries or to retrieve completion queue entries for work queue entries whose processing has been completed by the I/O adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060265521
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for handling user space creation and deletion operations for creating and deleting allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device to application instances. For creation, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for creation of the allocation. For deletion, it is determined if there are any I/O transactions active on the allocation before performing the deletion. Allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and deletion may be performed only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being deleted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060265525
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables user space middleware or applications to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O Adapter without run-time involvement from the local Operating System (OS), or, in a virtual system, the local Hypervisor. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a mechanism for providing and using a linear block address (LBA) translation protection table (TPT) to control user space and out of user space Input/Output (I/O) operations. In one aspect of the present invention, the LBATPT includes an adapter protection table that has entries for each portion of a storage device. Each entry may include a key instance and protection domain, along with other protection table context information, against which I/O requests may be checked to determine if an application instance that submitted the I/O requests may access the LBAs identified in the I/O requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060265561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. Specifically, a mechanism for providing and using a linear block address (LBA) translation protection table (TPT) to control out of user space I/O operations is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, the LBATPT includes an adapter protection table that has entries for each portion of a storage device. Entries include access control values which identify whether the entry is valid and what access type operations may be performed on a corresponding portion of a storage device. I/O requests may be checked against these access control values to determine if an application instance that submitted the I/O requests may access the LBAs identified in the I/O requests in the manner requested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060265522
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and computer program product that enables application instances to pass block mode storage requests directly to a physical I/O adapter without run-time involvement from the local operating system or hypervisor. In one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided for handling user space query and modification operations for querying and modifying attributes of allocations of linear block addresses of a physical storage device. For modification, it is determined if there are sufficient available resources for the modification of the allocation. In addition, it is determined if there are any I/O transactions active on the allocation before performing the modification. Modification of the attributes of the allocation may be performed only if there are sufficient available resources and only if there are no active I/O transactions on the allocation being modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, John Hufferd, Agustin Mena, Renato Recio, Madeline Vega
  • Publication number: 20060259644
    Abstract: A mechanism for offloading the management of receive queues in a split (e.g. split socket, split iSCSI, split DAFS) stack environment, including efficient queue flow control and TCP/IP retransmission support. An Upper Layer Protocol (ULP) creates receive work queues and completion queues that are utilized by an Internet Protocol Suite Offload Engine (IPSOE) and the ULP to transfer information and carry out send operations. As consumers initiate receive operations, receive work queue entries (RWQEs) are created by the ULP and written to the receive work queue (RWQ). The ISPOE is notified of a new entry to the RWQ and it subsequently reads this entry that contains pointers to the data that is to be received. After the data is received, the IPSOE creates a completion queue entry (CQE) that is written into the completion queue (CQ). After the CQE is written, the ULP subsequently processes the entry and removes it from the CQE, freeing up a space in both the RWQ and CQ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: William Boyd, Jean Calvignac, Chih-Jen Chang, Douglas Joseph, Renato Recio
  • Patent number: 7133901
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling efficient electronic communication between individuals affiliated with an organization are provided. The present invention enables a user, such as an administrator, to prepare and deliver an electronic announcement to users without specifically identifying each user or creating a predefined group of users. These targeted electronic announcements are deliverable to such users based, in part, on descriptive attributes, such as academic attributes, that distinguish such users or users from other members of a community information system, such as a university. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention facilitate designating attributes that define the manner used to distribute the electronic announcement, such as to a user or recipient's personalized web page acting as an interface to the community information system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: SunGard SCT Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sean Dalby, William A. Boyd, Korb S. Matosich, Matthew O. Smith
  • Publication number: 20060226521
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a metallic leadframe (103) with a first surface (103a) and a second surface (103b). The leadframe includes a chip pad (104) and a plurality of segments (107); the chip pad is held by a plurality of straps (105), wherein each strap has a groove (106). A chip (101) is mounted on the chip pad and electrically connected to the segments. A heat spreader (110) is disposed on the first surface of the leadframe; the heat spreader has its central portion (110a) spaced above the chip connections (108), and also has positioning members (110b) extending outwardly from the edges of the central portion so that they rest in the grooves of the straps. Encapsulation material surrounds the chip, the electrical connections, and the spreader positioning members, and fills the space between the spreader and the chip, while leaving the second leadframe surface and the central spreader portion exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Anthony Coyle, William Boyd, Chris Haga, Leland Swanson