Patents by Inventor Michael A. Benning

Michael A. Benning 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: 9094327
    Abstract: Network switching and/or routing devices can use multiple priority data streams and queues to support prioritized serial transmission of data from line cards (or the like) through a fabric switch to other line cards (or the like). Preemption logic is used to insert within a data stream commands indicating a switch from one priority level data to another. Delimiter commands and combination switch/delimiter commands can also be used. Multiple crossbars are implemented in the fabric switch to support the various data stream priority levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mick R. Jacobs, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 8379524
    Abstract: Network switching and/or routing devices can use multiple priority data streams and queues to support prioritized serial transmission of data from line cards (or the like) through a fabric switch to other line cards (or the like). Preemption logic is used to insert within a data stream commands indicating a switch from one priority level data to another. Delimiter commands and combination switch/delimiter commands can also be used. Multiple crossbars are implemented in the fabric switch to support the various data stream priority levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mick R. Jacobs, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 8264969
    Abstract: A reference signal of reference pulses occurring at a uniform reference pulse rate is received. An error event signal of error event pulses occurring at a variable error event pulse rate corresponding to a rate of detected error event occurrences is received. An integrator output signal is produced from the reference signal and the error event signal. The integrator output signal has a value that approaches a first boundary threshold when the reference pulse rate exceeds the error event pulse rate and approaches a second boundary threshold when the error event pulse rate exceeds the reference pulse rate. A decision signal is set to a first value in response to a determination that the value of the received integrator output signal meets a first decision threshold and set to a second value in response to a determination that the value of the received integrator output signal meets a second decision threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David E. Bliss, Michael A. Benning
  • Publication number: 20110105923
    Abstract: A reference signal of reference pulses occurring at a uniform reference pulse rate is received. An error event signal of error event pulses occurring at a variable error event pulse rate corresponding to a rate of detected error event occurrences is received. An integrator output signal is produced from the reference signal and the error event signal. The integrator output signal has a value that approaches a first boundary threshold when the reference pulse rate exceeds the error event pulse rate and approaches a second boundary threshold when the error event pulse rate exceeds the reference pulse rate. A decision signal is set to a first value in response to a determination that the value of the received integrator output signal meets a first decision threshold and set to a second value in response to a determination that the value of the received integrator output signal meets a second decision threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: David E. Bliss, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 7701949
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first buffer, a second buffer and a priority switch circuit. The first buffer is configured to store data of a first data stream having a first priority. The second buffer is configured to store data of a second data stream having a second priority. The priority switch circuit is coupled to the first buffer and the second buffer and is configured to interrupt a transmission of the first data stream from the first buffer upon detection of data of the second data stream and transmit data of the second data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Rose, David S. Walker, Michael A. Benning, Mick R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7464180
    Abstract: Network switching and/or routing devices can use multiple priority data streams and queues to support prioritized serial transmission of data from line cards (or the like) through a fabric switch to other line cards (or the like). Preemption logic is used to insert within a data stream commands indicating a switch from one priority level data to another. Delimiter commands and combination switch/delimiter commands can also be used. Multiple crossbars are implemented in the fabric switch to support the various data stream priority levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mick R. Jacobs, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 7349416
    Abstract: Network switching and/or routing devices can use switching fabrics that gather information about output port buffer status and distribute that information to various line cards for use in data frame congestion avoidance. The switching fabric can gather output buffer status information for all output ports and distribute that information to each line card in an efficient, in-band manner. Individual line cards can use the information to determine from which line card virtual output queue to dequeue data frames destined for the switching fabric. Line cards can also gather output buffer status information associated with line card queues used for receiving data from the switching fabric. Such data is used in a manner similar to the output buffer data from the switching fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mick R. Jacobs, Matthew Todd Lawson, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 7330489
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for synchronizing data in a number of separate integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first integrated circuit configured to receive first data, and a second integrated circuit coupled to the first integrated circuit configured to receive second data. The second integrated circuit is separate from the first integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit is further configured to synchronize the second data with the first data. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a first integrated circuit configured to receive first data, and a second integrated circuit coupled to the first integrated circuit configured to receive second data. The second integrated circuit is separate from the first integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit is further configured to detect when the second data is out of synchronization with the first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Benning, Mick R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 7116738
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for synchronizing data. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first communication link for transmitting first data and a second communication link for transmitting second data. A circuit coupled to the first and second communication links. The circuit is configured to receive the first and second data. The circuit is configured to synchronously output the first and second data when the first and second data are received by the circuit out of synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Benning, Mick R. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20040100980
    Abstract: Network switching and/or routing devices can use switching fabrics that gather information about output port buffer status and distribute that information to various line cards for use in data frame congestion avoidance. The switching fabric can gather output buffer status information for all output ports and distribute that information to each line card in an efficient, in-band manner. Individual line cards can use the information to determine from which line card virtual output queue to dequeue data frames destined for the switching fabric. Line cards can also gather output buffer status information associated with line card queues used for receiving data from the switching fabric. Such data is used in a manner similar to the output buffer data from the switching fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Mick R. Jacobs, Matthew Todd Lawson, Michael A. Benning
  • Patent number: 5540077
    Abstract: A method of measuring the concentration of a component in a sample gas comprises the steps of: determining the flow rate at sonic velocity of a sample gas through a critical orifice; determining the flow rate at sonic velocity of a calibration gas through the critical orifice; comparing the flow rate of the sample gas with the flow rate of the calibration gas; formulating the calibration gas with an additional gas to adjust the flow rate of the calibration gas to approximately equal the flow rate of the sample gas through the critical orifice at sonic velocity, thereby creating a balanced calibration gas; calibrating the analyzer with the balanced calibration gas, wherein a concentration reading of the component from the analyzer is compared with a known concentration of the component in the balanced calibration gas; and measuring the concentration of the component of the sample gas using the analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Scott Specialty Gases, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Benning, Stephen B. Miller, James S. Wallis, Richard B. Kowey
  • Patent number: 5495875
    Abstract: A system for continuously filling a plurality of cylinders with a precise concentration of a vaporized liquid component blended into a gas is disclosed wherein the concentration of the liquid component of the resultant final blended mixture is continuously analyzed, and immediately adjusted, during the filling process. Due to the constant analysis and adjustment, any error in the concentration of a component is typically realized before the concentration is outside an acceptable range. The inventive system allows for a large number of cylinders to be accurately and quickly filled with the compressed, final blended mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Scott Specialty Gases, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Benning, Stephen B. Miller