Patents by Inventor Brad W. Michael

Brad W. Michael 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: 8520740
    Abstract: Mechanisms for performing decoding of context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) encoded data. The mechanisms receive, in a first single instruction multiple data (SIMD) vector register of the data processing system, CABAC encoded data of a bit stream. The CABAC encoded data includes a value to be decoded and bit stream state information. The mechanisms receive, in a second SIMD vector register of the data processing system, CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms process the value, the bit stream state information, and the CABAC decoder context information in a non-recursive manner to generate a decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms store, in a third SIMD vector register, a result vector that combines the decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms use the decoded value to generate a video output on the data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Flachs, Charles R. Johns, Michael A. Kutner, Brad W. Michael, Naxin Wang
  • Publication number: 20120246354
    Abstract: A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Harm P. Hofstee, Charles R. Johns, Matthew E. King, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Publication number: 20120204016
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for rewriting branch instructions in a portion of code. The mechanisms receive a portion of source code having an original branch instruction. The mechanisms generate a branch stub for the original branch instruction. The branch stub stores information about the original branch instruction including an original target address of the original branch instruction. Moreover, the mechanisms rewrite the original branch instruction so that a target of the rewritten branch instruction references the branch stub. In addition, the mechanisms output compiled code including the rewritten branch instruction and the branch stub for execution by a computing device. The branch stub is utilized by the computing device at runtime to determine if execution of the rewritten branch instruction can be redirected directly to a target instruction corresponding to the original target address in an instruction cache of the computing device without intervention by an instruction cache runtime system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120198170
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for evicting cache lines from an instruction cache of the data processing system. The mechanisms store, for a portion of code in a current cache line, a linked list of call sites that directly or indirectly target the portion of code in the current cache line. A determination is made as to whether the current cache line is to be evicted from the instruction cache. The linked list of call sites is processed to identify one or more rewritten branch instructions having associated branch stubs, that either directly or indirectly target the portion of code in the current cache line. In addition, the one or more rewritten branch instructions are rewritten to restore the one or more rewritten branch instructions to an original state based on information in the associated branch stubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120198169
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for dynamically rewriting branch instructions in a portion of code. The mechanisms execute a branch instruction in the portion of code. The mechanisms determine if a target instruction of the branch instruction, to which the branch instruction branches, is present in an instruction cache associated with the processor. Moreover, the mechanisms directly branch execution of the portion of code to the target instruction in the instruction cache, without intervention from an instruction cache runtime system, in response to a determination that the target instruction is present in the instruction cache. In addition, the mechanisms redirect execution of the portion of code to the instruction cache runtime system in response to a determination that the target instruction cannot be determined to be present in the instruction cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120198429
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for arranging binary code to reduce instruction cache conflict misses. These mechanisms generate a call graph of a portion of code. Nodes and edges in the call graph are weighted to generate a weighted call graph. The weighted call graph is then partitioned according to the weights, affinities between nodes of the call graph, and the size of cache lines in an instruction cache of the data processing system, so that binary code associated with one or more subsets of nodes in the call graph are combined into individual cache lines based on the partitioning. The binary code corresponding to the partitioned call graph is then output for execution in a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Patent number: 8230136
    Abstract: A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Harm P. Hofstee, Charles R. Johns, Matthew E. King, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Publication number: 20120057637
    Abstract: Mechanisms for performing decoding of context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) encoded data. The mechanisms receive, in a first single instruction multiple data (SIMD) vector register of the data processing system, CABAC encoded data of a bit stream. The CABAC encoded data comprises a value to be decoded and bit stream state information. The mechanisms receive, in a second SIMD vector register of the data processing system, CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms process the value, the bit stream state information, and the CABAC decoder context information in a non-recursive manner to generate a decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms store, in a third SIMD vector register, a result vector that combines the decoded value, updated bit stream state information, and updated CABAC decoder context information. The mechanisms use the decoded value to generate a video output on the data processing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Flachs, Charles R. Johns, Michael A. Kutner, Brad W. Michael, Naxin Wang
  • Publication number: 20110320786
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for evicting cache lines from an instruction cache of the data processing system. The mechanisms store, for a portion of code in a current cache line, a linked list of call sites that directly or indirectly target the portion of code in the current cache line. A determination is made as to whether the current cache line is to be evicted from the instruction cache. The linked list of call sites is processed to identify one or more rewritten branch instructions having associated branch stubs, that either directly or indirectly target the portion of code in the current cache line. In addition, the one or more rewritten branch instructions are rewritten to restore the one or more rewritten branch instructions to an original state based on information in the associated branch stubs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110321002
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for rewriting branch instructions in a portion of code. The mechanisms receive a portion of source code having an original branch instruction. The mechanisms generate a branch stub for the original branch instruction. The branch stub stores information about the original branch instruction including an original target address of the original branch instruction. Moreover, the mechanisms rewrite the original branch instruction so that a target of the rewritten branch instruction references the branch stub. In addition, the mechanisms output compiled code including the rewritten branch instruction and the branch stub for execution by a computing device. The branch stub is utilized by the computing device at runtime to determine if execution of the rewritten branch instruction can be redirected directly to a target instruction corresponding to the original target address in an instruction cache of the computing device without intervention by an instruction cache runtime system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110321021
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for arranging binary code to reduce instruction cache conflict misses. These mechanisms generate a call graph of a portion of code. Nodes and edges in the call graph are weighted to generate a weighted call graph. The weighted call graph is then partitioned according to the weights, affinities between nodes of the call graph, and the size of cache lines in an instruction cache of the data processing system, so that binary code associated with one or more subsets of nodes in the call graph are combined into individual cache lines based on the partitioning. The binary code corresponding to the partitioned call graph is then output for execution in a computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110320785
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for dynamically rewriting branch instructions in a portion of code. The mechanisms execute a branch instruction in the portion of code. The mechanisms determine if a target instruction of the branch instruction, to which the branch instruction branches, is present in an instruction cache associated with the processor. Moreover, the mechanisms directly branch execution of the portion of code to the target instruction in the instruction cache, without intervention from an instruction cache runtime system, in response to a determination that the target instruction is present in the instruction cache. In addition, the mechanisms redirect execution of the portion of code to the instruction cache runtime system in response to a determination that the target instruction cannot be determined to be present in the instruction cache.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Chen, Brian Flachs, Brad W. Michael, Mark R. Nutter, John K.P. O'Brien, Kathryn M. O'Brien, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110066769
    Abstract: A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Harm P. Hofstee, Charles R. Johns, Matthew E. King, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Patent number: 7870308
    Abstract: A mechanism for programming a direct memory access engine operating as a single thread processor is provided. A program is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the program located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes the program without intervention by a host processor. Responsive to the program completing execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Charles R. Johns, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Patent number: 7870309
    Abstract: A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Harm P. Hofstee, Charles R. Johns, Matthew E. King, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Publication number: 20100161846
    Abstract: A mechanism programming a direct memory access engine operating as a multithreaded processor is provided. A plurality of programs is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the plurality of programs located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes two or more of the plurality of programs without intervention by a host processor. As each of the two or more of the plurality of programs completes execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Harm P. Hofstee, Charles R. Johns, Matthew E. King, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Publication number: 20100161848
    Abstract: A mechanism for programming a direct memory access engine operating as a single thread processor is provided. A program is received from a host processor in a local memory associated with the direct memory access engine. A request is received in the direct memory access engine from the host processor indicating that the program located in the local memory is to be executed. The direct memory access engine executes the program without intervention by a host processor. Responsive to the program completing execution, the direct memory access engine sends a completion notification to the host processor that indicates that the program has completed execution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian K. Flachs, Charles R. Johns, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Patent number: 7610531
    Abstract: Mechanisms for modifying a test pattern to control power supply noise are provided. A portion of a sequence of states in a test sequence of a test pattern waveform is modified so as to achieve a circuit voltage, e.g., an on-chip voltage, which approximates a nominal circuit voltage, such as produced by the application of other portions of the sequence of states in the same or different test sequences. For example, hold state cycles or shift-scan state cycles may be inserted or removed prior to test state cycles in the test pattern waveform. The insertion/removal shifts the occurrence of the test state cycles within the test pattern waveform so as to adjust the voltage response of the test state cycles so that they more closely approximate a nominal voltage response. In this way, false failures due to noise in the voltage supply may be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sang H. Dhong, Brian Flachs, Gilles Gervais, Brad W. Michael, Mack W. Riley
  • Publication number: 20090070654
    Abstract: A design structure for a processor system may be embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing or testing a processor integrated circuit. The design structure may embody a processor system that integrates error correcting code (ECC) detection and correction hardware within an memory management circuit. The design structure may specify ECC hardware circuitry that provides detection, correction and generation of ECC data bits in conjunction with memory data read and writes. The design structure for the processor system may permit the detection and correction of soft single bit errors read from local memory in-line while using read modify write DMA circuit logic to correct local memory data. The design structure may provide for local memory data error detection and correction in a background memory scrub process without the need for additional in-line data logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Flachs, H. Peter Hofstee, John S. Liberty, Brad W. Michael
  • Patent number: 7486096
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a test system tests a device under test (DUT). The DUT includes an internal test controller that executes built-in self-test (BIST programs. Built-in self-test programs include array-based automatic built-in self-test programs, discrete and combinational logic built-in self-test programs, and functional architecture verification programs (AVPs). An external manufacturing system test controller manages the internal test controller within the DUT and determines minimum operating voltage levels for a power supply input voltage that supplies the DUT. A logic simulator provides a modeling capability to further enhance the development of minimum voltage power supply input operational values for the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sang H. Dhong, Brian Flachs, Gilles Gervais, Charles R. Johns, Brad W. Michael, Makoto Aikawa, Iwao Takiguchi, Tetsuji Tamura