Patents by Inventor Kevin C. Gower

Kevin C. Gower 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: 20080235444
    Abstract: A system and method for providing SDRAM mode register shadowing in a memory system. A system includes a memory interface device adapted for use in a memory system. The memory interface device includes an interface to one or more ranks of memory devices, and each memory device includes one or more types of mode registers. The memory interface device also includes an interface to a memory bus for receiving commands from a memory controller. The commands include a mode register set command specifying a new mode register setting for one or more ranks of memory devices and a mode register type. The memory interface device further includes a mode register shadow module to capture settings applied to the mode registers. The module includes a shadow register for each type of mode register and a shadow log for each type of mode register.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Thomas J. Griffin, Kirk D. Lamb, Dustin J. VanStee
  • Patent number: 7426704
    Abstract: Testing a model of a logic circuit model. The testing includes generating valid random input stimulus sequences for a logic circuit model. Enumerating critical resource requirements, enumerating critical resource availabilities does this, and selecting of stimulus sequences and determining legal times for execution of said stimulus sequences based on resource availability. This includes generating a plurality of possible combinations of input stimulus sequences and generating an array representation of critical resource requirements. These are used to generate an array representation of critical resources availabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Faisal A. Ahmad, Kevin C. Gower, Anish T. Patel
  • Publication number: 20080215790
    Abstract: Design structures embodied in machine readable medium are provided. Embodiments of the design structure include a memory system comprising: a memory controller; a memory bus terminator; a high speed memory bus that interconnects the memory controller, the memory bus terminator, and at least one memory module; and the at least one memory module, the memory module comprising at least one memory hub device, high speed random access memory served by the memory hub device, two bus signal ports, and a segment of the high speed memory bus fabricated on the memory module so as to interconnect the bus signal ports and the memory hub device, the high speed memory bus connected to the memory hub device by a negligible electrical stub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul W. Coteus, Kevin C. Gower, Robert B. Tremaine
  • Publication number: 20080215929
    Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for switching a defective signal line with a spare signal line without shutting down the computer system. A service processor monitors error correction code (ECC) check units configured to detect an error in a signal line. If an ECC check unit detects an error rate that exceeds a threshold, then the signal line with such an error rate may be said to be “defective.” The service processor configures switch control units in the driver/receiver pair associated with the defective signal line to be able to switch the defective signal line with a spare line upon receipt of a command from a memory controller switch control unit. In this manner, the system is not deactivated in order to switch a defective signal line with a spare line thereby reducing the time that the processor cannot send information to the memory buffers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, James S. Fields, Kevin C. Gower, Eric E. Retter
  • Publication number: 20080183957
    Abstract: A dual inline memory module (DIMM) includes a card having a length of about 151.2 to about 151.5 millimeters, a plurality of individual local memory devices attached to the card, and a buffer device attached to the card, the buffer device configured for converting a packetized memory interface. The card includes at least 276 pins configured thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg, Roger A. Rippens
  • Publication number: 20080183977
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamic memory buffer bank policy. Embodiments include a hub device for selecting a bank page policy. The hub device includes an input command stream interface and a bank page policy module. The input command stream interface detects commands from a memory controller that are directed to one or more memory devices that are connected to the hub device. The bank page policy module independently analyzes the commands to determine access patterns to the memory devices and for dynamically selecting between an open bank page policy and a closed bank page policy for the memory devices based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Dustin J. VanStee
  • Publication number: 20080183903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing dynamic memory pre-fetch. Embodiments include a hub device including an input command stream interface and an adaptive pre-fetch logical unit (APLU). The input command stream interface detects commands from a memory controller directed to one or more memory devices that are connected to the hub device. The APLU independently analyzes the commands to determine access patterns to the memory devices. The APLU also dynamically selects between enabling a pre-fetch function and disabling the pre-fetch function for the memory devices based on the results of the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dustin J. VanStee, Kevin C. Gower
  • Publication number: 20080177929
    Abstract: A system for implementing a memory subsystem command interface, the system including a cascaded interconnect system including one or more memory modules, a memory controller and a memory bus. The memory controller generates a data frame that includes a plurality of commands. The memory controller and the memory module are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the memory bus and the frame is transmitted to the memory modules via the memory bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Publication number: 20080177942
    Abstract: A dual inline memory module (DIMM) includes a card having a length of about 151.2 to about 151.5 millimeters, a plurality of individual local memory devices attached to the card, and a buffer device attached to the card, the buffer device configured for converting a packetized memory interface. The card includes at least 276 pins configured thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg, Roger A. Rippens
  • Patent number: 7403409
    Abstract: A dual inline memory module (DIMM) includes a card having a length of about 151.2 to about 151.5 millimeters, a plurality of individual local memory devices attached to the card, and a buffer device attached to the card, the buffer device configured for converting a packetized memory interface. The card includes at least 276 pins configured thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel M. Dreps, Frank D. Ferraiolo, Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg, Roger A. Rippens
  • Patent number: 7395476
    Abstract: A buffer device for testing a memory subsystem. The buffer device includes a parallel bus port adapted for connection to a slow speed bus and a serial bus port adapted for connection to a high speed bus. The high speed bus operates at a faster speed than the slow speed bus. The buffer device also includes a bus converter having a standard operating mode for converting serial packetized input data received via the serial bus port into parallel bus output data for output via the parallel bus port. The buffer device also includes an alternate operating mode for converting parallel bus input data received via the parallel bus port into serial packetized output data for output via the serial bus port. The serial packetized input data is consistent in function and timing to the serial packetized output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cowell, Kevin C. Gower, Frank LaPietra
  • Patent number: 7392337
    Abstract: A system for implementing a memory subsystem command interface, the system including a cascaded interconnect system including one or more memory modules, a memory controller and a memory bus. The memory controller generates a data frame that includes a plurality of commands. The memory controller and the memory module are interconnected by a packetized multi-transfer interface via the memory bus and the frame is transmitted to the memory modules via the memory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Warren E. Maule
  • Patent number: 7389375
    Abstract: A multi-mode memory buffer device for use in various memory subsystem structures. The buffer device includes a packetized multi-transfer interface which is redriven to permit connection between a first memory assembly and cascaded memory assemblies. The buffer device also includes a memory interface adapted to connect to either a second memory assembly or directly to memory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg
  • Publication number: 20080133797
    Abstract: A multi-mode memory buffer device for use in various memory subsystem structures. The buffer device includes a packetized multi-transfer interface which is redriven to permit connection between a first memory assembly and cascaded memory assemblies. The buffer device also includes a memory interface adapted to connect to either a second memory assembly or directly to memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Mark W. Kellogg
  • Patent number: 7380161
    Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for switching a defective signal line with a spare signal line without shutting down the computer system. A service processor monitors error correction code (ECC) check units configured to detect an error in a signal line. If an ECC check unit detects an error rate that exceeds a threshold, then the signal line with such an error rate may be said to be “defective.” The service processor configures switch control units in the driver/receiver pair associated with the defective signal line to be able to switch the defective signal line with a spare line upon receipt of a command from a memory controller switch control unit. In this manner, the system is not deactivated in order to switch a defective signal line with a spare line thereby reducing the time that the processor cannot send information to the memory buffers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar R. Cordero, James S. Fields, Jr., Kevin C. Gower, Eric E. Retter
  • Patent number: 7380179
    Abstract: A high reliability dual inline memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus for use in a server. The memory module is a card approximately 151.35 mm or 5.97 inches long provided with about a plurality of contacts of which some are redundant, a plurality of DRAMs, a phase lock loop, a 2 or 32K bit serial EE PROM and a 28 bit and a 1 to 2 register having error correction code (ECC), parity checking, a multi-byte fault reporting circuitry for reading via an independent bus, and real time error lines for determining and reporting both correctable errors and uncorrectable error conditions coupled to the server's memory interface chip and memory controller or processor such that the memory controller sends address and command information to the register via address/command lines together with check bits for error correction purposes to the ECC/Parity register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Bruce Hazelzet, Mark W. Kellogg, David T. Perlman
  • Publication number: 20080115137
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing collision detection in a memory system including a memory system for storing and retrieving data for a processing system. The memory system includes resource scheduling conflict logic for monitoring one or more memory resources for detecting resource scheduling conflicts. The memory system also includes error reporting logic for generating an error signal in response to detecting a resource scheduling conflict at one or more of the memory resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Thomas J. Griffin, Dustin J. VanStee
  • Patent number: 7366947
    Abstract: A high reliability dual inline memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus for use in a server. The memory module is a card approximately 151.35 mm or 5.97 inches long provided with about a plurality of contacts of which some are redundant, a plurality of DRAMs, a phase lock loop, a 2 or 32K bit serial EE PROM and a 28 bit and a 1 to 2 register having error correction code (ECC), parity checking, a multi-byte fault reporting circuitry for reading via an independent bus, and real time error lines for determining and reporting both correctable errors and uncorrectable error conditions coupled to the server's memory interface chip and memory controller or processor such that the memory controller sends address and command information to the register via address/command lines together with check bits for error correction purposes to the ECC/Parity register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Bruce Hazelzet, Mark W. Kellogg, David J. Perhnan
  • Patent number: 7363533
    Abstract: A high reliability dual inline memory module with a fault tolerant address and command bus for use in a server. The memory module is a card provided with a plurality of contacts of which some are redundant, a plurality of DRAMs, a phase lock loop, a 2 or 32K bit serial EE PROM, and a 28 bit 1 to 2 register having error correction code (ECC), parity checking, a multi-byte fault reporting circuitry for reading via an independent bus, and real time error lines for determining and reporting both correctable errors and uncorrectable error conditions coupled to the server's memory interface chip and memory controller or processor such that the memory controller sends address and command information to the register via address/command lines together with check bits for error correction purposes to the ECC/Parity register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Gower, Bruce Hazelzet, Mark W. Kellogg, David J. Perlman
  • Patent number: 7356737
    Abstract: A buffered memory module including a downstream buffer, a downstream receiver, an upstream driver, an upstream receiver. The downstream buffer and the downstream receiver are both adapted for connection to a downstream memory bus in a packetized cascaded interconnect memory subsystem. The upstream driver and the upstream receiver are both adapted for connection to an upstream memory bus in the memory subsystem. During a test of the memory module, the upstream driver is connected to the downstream receiver and the downstream driver is connected to the upstream receiver. The memory module also includes one or more storage registers, a microprocessor and a service interface port. The microprocessor includes instructions for executing the test of the memory module including storing results of the test in the storage registers. The service interface port receives service interface signals that initiate the execution of the test and accesses the storage registers to determine the results of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Cowell, Frank D. Ferriaolo, Kevin C. Gower, Frank LaPietra