Patents by Inventor Andrew Douglas King

Andrew Douglas King 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: 11900185
    Abstract: In a hybrid computing system including at least one analog processor and at least one digital processor an embedded problem is repeatedly run or executed on the analog processor(s) to generate a first plurality of candidate solutions to the computational problem, the candidate solutions are returned to the digital processor(s) which determine a value for at least one statistical feature of the candidate solutions, at least one programmable parameter of the plurality of analog devices in the analog processor(s) is adjusted to at least partially compensate for deviations from an expected value of the at least one statistical feature, the expected value of the at least one statistical feature inferred from the structure of the embedded problem, the embedded problem is again repeatedly run or executed on the analog processor(s) to generate a second plurality of candidate solutions to the computational problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: 1372934 B.C. LTD.
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King
  • Patent number: 11861455
    Abstract: A computational method via a hybrid processor comprising an analog processor and a digital processor includes determining a first classical spin configuration via the digital processor, determining preparatory biases toward the first classical spin configuration, programming an Ising problem and the preparatory biases in the analog processor via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a first direction, latching the state of the analog processor for a first dwell time, programming the analog processor to remove the preparatory biases via the digital processor, determining a tunneling energy via the digital processor, determining a second dwell time via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a second direction until the analog processor reaches the tunneling energy, and evolving the analog processor in the first direction until the analog processor reaches a second classical spin configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Sheir Yarkoni, Trevor Michael Lanting, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Andrew Douglas King, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Publication number: 20230334355
    Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas King, Alexandre Fréchette, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Trevor Michael Lanting, Emile M. Hoskinson, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Patent number: 11681940
    Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: 1372934 B.C. LTD
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas King, Alexandre Fréchette, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Trevor Michael Lanting, Emile M. Hoskinson, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Publication number: 20210350269
    Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Douglas King, Alexandre Fréchette, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Trevor Michael Lanting, Emile M. Hoskinson, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Patent number: 11100416
    Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Michael Lanting, Andrew Douglas King
  • Publication number: 20200349326
    Abstract: In a hybrid computing system including at least one analog processor and at least one digital processor an embedded problem is repeatedly run or executed on the analog processor(s) to generate a first plurality of candidate solutions to the computational problem, the candidate solutions are returned to the digital processor(s) which determine a value for at least one statistical feature of the candidate solutions, at least one programmable parameter of the plurality of analog devices in the analog processor(s) is adjusted to at least partially compensate for deviations from an expected value of the at least one statistical feature, the expected value of the at least one statistical feature inferred from the structure of the embedded problem, the embedded problem is again repeatedly run or executed on the analog processor(s) to generate a second plurality of candidate solutions to the computational problem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King
  • Publication number: 20200320424
    Abstract: A computational method via a hybrid processor comprising an analog processor and a digital processor includes determining a first classical spin configuration via the digital processor, determining preparatory biases toward the first classical spin configuration, programming an Ising problem and the preparatory biases in the analog processor via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a first direction, latching the state of the analog processor for a first dwell time, programming the analog processor to remove the preparatory biases via the digital processor, determining a tunneling energy via the digital processor, determining a second dwell time via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a second direction until the analog processor reaches the tunneling energy, and evolving the analog processor in the first direction until the analog processor reaches a second classical spin configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Sheir Yarkoni, Trevor Michael Lanting, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Andrew Douglas King, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Patent number: 10671937
    Abstract: A computational method via a hybrid processor comprising an analog processor and a digital processor includes determining a first classical spin configuration via the digital processor, determining preparatory biases toward the first classical spin configuration, programming an Ising problem and the preparatory biases in the analog processor via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a first direction, latching the state of the analog processor for a first dwell time, programming the analog processor to remove the preparatory biases via the digital processor, determining a tunneling energy via the digital processor, determining a second dwell time via the digital processor, evolving the analog processor in a second direction until the analog processor reaches the tunneling energy, and evolving the analog processor in the first direction until the analog processor reaches a second classical spin configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Sheir Yarkoni, Trevor Michael Lanting, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Andrew Douglas King, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Publication number: 20190266510
    Abstract: A hybrid computer for generating samples employs a digital computer operable to perform post-processing. An analog computer may be communicatively coupled to the digital computer. The analog computer may be operable to return one or more samples corresponding to low-energy configurations of a Hamiltonian. Methods of generating samples from a quantum Boltzmann distribution to train a Quantum Boltzmann Machine, and from a classical Boltzmann distribution to train a Restricted Boltzmann Machine, are also taught. Computational systems and methods permit processing problems having size and/or connectivity greater than, and/or at least not fully provided by, a working graph of an analog processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Sheir Yarkoni, Trevor Michael Lanting, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Andrew Douglas King, Evgeny A. Andriyash, Mohammad H. Amin
  • Patent number: 10268622
    Abstract: Topologies for analog computing systems are provided. Qubits in the topology are grouped into cells, and cells are coupled to adjacent cells by inter-cell couplers. At least some cells are coupled to non-adjacent cells via long-range couplers. Long-range couplers may be arranged into coverings so that certain sets of qubits within a covering region may be coupled with a reduced number of couplers. Each cell within a covering region without a long-range coupler may be proximate to a cell with a long range coupler so that each cell within the covering region is no more than a certain coupling distance away from a long-range coupler. Long-range couplers may couple over a greater physical distance than inter-cell couplers. Long-range couplers may couple to qubits over a larger coupling region, and may extend across multiple crossing regions between qubits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Hilton, Aidan Patrick Roy, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew Douglas King, Kelly T. R. Boothby, Richard G. Harris, Chunqing Deng
  • Publication number: 20180330264
    Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Trevor Michael Lanting, Andrew Douglas King
  • Publication number: 20180246848
    Abstract: A topology or hardware graph of a quantum processor is modifiable, for example prior to embedding of a problem, for instance by creating chains of qubits, where each chain which operates as a single or logical qubit to impose a logical graph on the quantum processor. A user interface (UI) allows a user to select a topology suited for embedding a particular problem or type of problem, to supply parameters that define the desired topology, or to supply or specify a problem graph or problem definition from which a processor-based system determines or selects an appropriate topology or logical graph to impose. Topologies may have regularity and/or self-similarity over the quantum processor or portions thereof, which portions may constitute unit cells. Logical graphs imposed on the quantum processor may take the form of a hypercube graph. A UI allows the user to specify a desired dimension of the hypercube graph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Adam Douglass, Richard G. Harris, Trevor Michael Lanting, Andrew Douglas King, Jack Raymond, Murray C. Thom
  • Patent number: 9881256
    Abstract: Computational systems implement problem solving using heuristic solvers or optimizers. Such may iteratively evaluate a result of processing, and modify the problem or representation thereof before repeating processing on the modified problem, until a termination condition is reached. Heuristic solvers or optimizers may execute on one or more digital processors and/or one or more quantum processors. The system may autonomously select between types of hardware devices and/or types of heuristic optimization algorithms. Such may coordinate or at least partially overlap post-processing operations with processing operations, for instance performing post-processing on an ith batch of samples while generating an (i+1)th batch of samples, e.g., so post-processing operation on the ith batch of samples does not extend in time beyond the generation of the (i+1)th batch of samples. Heuristic optimizers selection is based on pre-processing assessment of the problem, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: D-WAVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Firas Hamze, Andrew Douglas King, Jack Raymond, Aidan Patrick Roy, Robert Israel, Evgeny Andriyash, Catherine McGeoch, Mani Ranjbar
  • Patent number: 9875444
    Abstract: A problem graph having one or more odd cycles is embedded in a quantum processor. The quantum processor includes a plurality of qubits and coupling devices, each coupling device operable to provide controllable communicative coupling between a respective pair of the plurality of qubits to form an interconnected topology. Embedding may, for example, be realized by mapping each vertex of the problem graph to a respective single qubit; mapping each edge of the problem graph to a respective single coupling device, where for pairs of qubits, each qubit of the pair is mapped to a respective pair of vertices. The problem graph may include one or more sub-graphs, one or more of the sub-graphs being a bipartite K3,3 graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: D-Wave Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King
  • Publication number: 20170255872
    Abstract: Computational systems implement problem solving using heuristic solvers or optimizers. Such may iteratively evaluate a result of processing, and modify the problem or representation thereof before repeating processing on the modified problem, until a termination condition is reached. Heuristic solvers or optimizers may execute on one or more digital processors and/or one or more quantum processors. The system may autonomously select between types of hardware devices and/or types of heuristic optimization algorithms. Such may coordinate or at least partially overlap post-processing operations with processing operations, for instance performing post-processing on an ith batch of samples while generating an (i+1)th batch of samples, e.g., so post-processing operation on the ith batch of samples does not extend in time beyond the generation of the (i+1)th batch of samples. Heuristic optimizers selection is based on pre-processing assessment of the problem, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Firas Hamze, Andrew Douglas King, Jack Raymond, Aidan Patrick Roy, Robert Israel, Evgeny Andriyash, Catherine McGeoch, Mani Ranjbar
  • Publication number: 20170220510
    Abstract: Topologies for analog computing systems are provided. Qubits in the topology are grouped into cells, and cells are coupled to adjacent cells by inter-cell couplers. At least some cells are coupled to non-adjacent cells via long-range couplers. Long-range couplers may be arranged into coverings so that certain sets of qubits within a covering region may be coupled with a reduced number of couplers. Each cell within a covering region without a long-range coupler may be proximate to a cell with a long range coupler so that each cell within the covering region is no more than a certain coupling distance away from a long-range coupler. Long-range couplers may couple over a greater physical distance than inter-cell couplers. Long-range couplers may couple to qubits over a larger coupling region, and may extend across multiple crossing regions between qubits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Hilton, Aidan Patrick Roy, Paul I. Bunyk, Andrew Douglas King, Tomas J. Boothby, Richard G. Harris, Chunqing Deng
  • Publication number: 20170091650
    Abstract: Quantum processor architectures employ unit cells tiled over an area. A unit cell may include first and second sets of qubits where each qubit in the first set crosses at least one qubit in the second set. Angular deviations between qubits in one set may allow qubits in the same set to cross one another. Each unit cell is positioned proximally adjacent at least one other unit cell. Communicatively coupling between qubits is realized through respective intra-cell and inter-cell coupling devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King
  • Patent number: 9547826
    Abstract: Quantum processor architectures employ unit cells tiled over an area. A unit cell may include first and second sets of qubits where each qubit in the first set crosses at least one qubit in the second set. Angular deviations between qubits in one set may allow qubits in the same set to cross one another. Each unit cell is positioned proximally adjacent at least one other unit cell. Communicatively coupling between qubits is realized through respective intra-cell and inter-cell coupling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: D-Wave Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King
  • Publication number: 20160012347
    Abstract: Quantum processor architectures employ unit cells tiled over an area. A unit cell may include first and second sets of qubits where each qubit in the first set crosses at least one qubit in the second set. Angular deviations between qubits in one set may allow qubits in the same set to cross one another. Each unit cell is positioned proximally adjacent at least one other unit cell. Communicatively coupling between qubits is realized through respective intra-cell and inter-cell coupling devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Andrew Douglas King