Patents by Inventor Burton Smith

Burton Smith 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: 9280397
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for accelerating a Software Transactional Memory (STM) system is herein described. A data object and metadata for the data object may each be associated with a filter, such as a hardware monitor or ephemerally held filter information. The filter is in a first, default state when no access, such as a read, from the data object has occurred during a pendancy of a transaction. Upon encountering a first access to the metadata, such as a first read, access barrier operations, such as logging of the metadata; setting a read monitor; or updating ephemeral filter information with an ephemeral/buffered store operation, are performed. Upon a subsequent/redundant access to the metadata, such as a second read, access barrier operations are elided to accelerate the subsequent access based on the filter being set to the second state to indicate a previous access occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ali-Reza Adl-Tabatabai, Gad Sheaffer, Bratin Saha, Jan Gray, David Callahan, Burton Smith, Graefe Goetz
  • Patent number: 8898652
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a hardware accelerated software transactional memory application. The software transactional memory application has access to metadata in a cache of a central processing unit that can be used to improve the operation of the STM system. For example, open read barrier filtering is provided that uses an opened-for-read bit that is contained in the metadata to avoid redundant open read processing. Similarly, redundant read log validation can be avoided using the metadata. For example, upon entering commit processing for a particular transaction, a get-evictions instruction in an instruction set architecture of the central processing unit is invoked. A retry operation can be optimized using the metadata. The particular transaction is aborted at a current point and put to sleep. The corresponding cache line metadata in the metadata are marked appropriately to efficiently detect a write by another CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Gray, Timothy L. Harris, James Larus, Burton Smith
  • Patent number: 8818196
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8813052
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a bounded transactional memory application that accesses cache metadata in a cache of a central processing unit. When performing a transactional read from the bounded transactional memory application, a cache line metadata transaction-read bit is set. When performing a transactional write from the bounded transactional memory application, a cache line metadata transaction-write bit is set and a conditional store is performed. At commit time, if any lines marked with the transaction-read bit or the transaction-write bit were evicted or invalidated, all speculatively written lines are discarded. The application can also interrogate a cache line metadata eviction summary to determine whether a transaction is doomed and then take an appropriate action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Gray, Timothy L. Harris, James Larus, Burton Smith
  • Patent number: 8712250
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8655187
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8588618
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8483569
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8483568
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8452182
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130110853
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to using structured query language constructs in non-structured query language domains. For example, through mathematical and logical transformation of concepts from a key, value pair domain associated with structured query language data structures to graphical-related data structures, the value originating in the structured query language domain can be modified for use in non-structured query language domains. This can open up options in analytics and can solve some of the problems associated with liner algebra.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Burton Smith, Henricus Johannes Maria Meijer, David B. Wecker, Alexander Sasha Stojanovic, Michael Isard, Savas Parastatidis
  • Patent number: 8412889
    Abstract: A low-overhead conditional synchronization instruction operates on a synchronization variable which includes a lock bit, a state specification, and bits for user-defined data. The instruction specifies the memory address of the synchronization variable and a condition. During the synchronization instruction the condition is compared to the state specification within an atomic region. The match succeeds if the condition matches the state specification and the lock bit is clear. The synchronization instruction may operate with a cache under a cache coherency protocol, or without a cache, and may include a timeout operand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: David Harper, Burton Smith
  • Patent number: 8401393
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8369708
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8301028
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8225297
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing software accessible metadata on a cache of a central processing unit. A multiprocessor has at least one central processing unit. The central processing unit has a cache with cache lines that are augmented by cache metadata. The cache metadata includes software-controlled metadata identifiers that allow multiple logical processors to share the cache metadata. The metadata identifiers and cache metadata can then be used to accelerate various operations. For example, parallel computations can be accelerated using cache metadata and metadata identifiers. As another example, nested computations can be accelerated using metadata identifiers and cache metadata. As yet another example, transactional memory applications that include parallelism within transactions or that include nested transactions can be also accelerated using cache metadata and metadata identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Gray, Timothy L. Harris, James Larus, Burton Smith
  • Publication number: 20110286748
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110262137
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K. Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvoid, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Patent number: 8001538
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing software accessible metadata on a cache of a central processing unit. The metadata can include at least some bits for each virtual address, at least some bits for each cache line, and at least some bits for the cache overall. An instruction set architecture on the central processing unit is provided that includes additional instructions for interacting with the metadata. New side effects that are introduced into an operation of the central processing unit by a presence of the metadata and the additional instructions. The metadata can be accessed by at least one software program to facilitate an operation of the software program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Gray, Timothy L. Harris, James Larus, Burton Smith
  • Publication number: 20110164880
    Abstract: A data center for executing a data processing application includes processing units, sub-units or servers. Each of the processing units, sub-units or servers can execute a part or all of the data processing application. The processing units, sub-units or servers are electrical disjoint with respect to data communications, but can communicate with each other over free space optical links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Howard Lee Davidson, James R. Hamilton, Roderick A. Hyde, Arne Josefsberg, Edward K.Y. Jung, Jordin T. Kare, Robert W. Lord, Kenneth Lustig, William Henry Mangione-Smith, Michael Manos, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Richard F. Rashid, Burton Smith, Clarence T. Tegreene, Robert V. Welland, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, JR.