Patents by Inventor Michael A. Blake

Michael A. Blake 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: 20160364312
    Abstract: In an approach for taking corrupt portions of cache offline during runtime, a notification of a section of a cache to be taken offline is received, wherein the section includes one or more sets in one or more indexes of the cache. An indication is associated with each set of the one or more sets in a first index of the one or more indexes, wherein the indication marks the respective set as unusable for future operations. Data is purged from the one or more sets in the first index of the cache. Each set of the one or more sets in the first index is marked as invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR.
  • Patent number: 9507660
    Abstract: In an approach for taking corrupt portions of cache offline during runtime, a notification of a section of a cache to be taken offline is received, wherein the section includes one or more sets in one or more indexes of the cache. An indication is associated with each set of the one or more sets in a first index of the one or more indexes, wherein the indication marks the respective set as unusable for future operations. Data is purged from the one or more sets in the first index of the cache. Each set of the one or more sets in the first index is marked as invalid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Arthur J. O'Neill, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9489255
    Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product for dynamic array masking is provided. Dynamic array masking includes, during execution of computer instructions that access a cache memory, detecting an error condition in a portion of the cache memory. The portion of the cache memory contains an array macro. Dynamic array masking, during the execution of the computer instructions that access a cache memory, further includes dynamically setting mask bits to indicate the error condition in the portion of the cache memory and preventing subsequent writes to the portion of the cache memory in accordance with the dynamically set mask bits. Embodiments also include evicting cache entries from the portion of the cache memory. This evicting can include performing a cache purge operation for the cache entries corresponding to the dynamically set mask bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Hieu T. Huynh, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, Jr., Rebecca S. Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 9459998
    Abstract: A multi-boundary address protection range is provided to prevent key operations from interfering with a data move performed by a dynamic memory relocation (DMR) move operation. Any key operation address that is within the move boundary address range gets rejected back to the hypervisor. Further, logic exists across a set of parallel slices to synchronize the DMR move operation as it crosses a protected boundary address range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Garrett M. Drapala, James F. Driftmyer, Deanna P. Berger, Pak-kin Mak, Timothy J. Slegel, Rebecca S. Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20160239378
    Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product for dynamic array masking is provided. Dynamic array masking includes, during execution of computer instructions that access a cache memory, detecting an error condition in a portion of the cache memory. The portion of the cache memory contains an array macro. Dynamic array masking, during the execution of the computer instructions that access a cache memory, further includes dynamically setting mask bits to indicate the error condition in the portion of the cache memory and preventing subsequent writes to the portion of the cache memory in accordance with the dynamically set mask bits. Embodiments also include evicting cache entries from the portion of the cache memory. This evicting can include performing a cache purge operation for the cache entries corresponding to the dynamically set mask bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Hieu T. Huynh, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR., Rebecca S. Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20160232067
    Abstract: In an approach for taking corrupt portions of cache offline during runtime, a notification of a section of a cache to be taken offline is received, wherein the section includes one or more sets in one or more indexes of the cache. An indication is associated with each set of the one or more sets in a first index of the one or more indexes, wherein the indication marks the respective set as unusable for future operations. Data is purged from the one or more sets in the first index of the cache. Each set of the one or more sets in the first index is marked as invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160232052
    Abstract: In an approach for taking corrupt portions of cache offline during runtime, a notification of a section of a cache to be taken offline is received, wherein the section includes one or more sets in one or more indexes of the cache. An indication is associated with each set of the one or more sets in a first index of the one or more indexes, wherein the indication marks the respective set as unusable for future operations. Data is purged from the one or more sets in the first index of the cache. Each set of the one or more sets in the first index is marked as invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160224463
    Abstract: A multi-boundary address protection range is provided to prevent key operations from interfering with a data move performed by a dynamic memory relocation (DMR) move operation. Any key operation address that is within the move boundary address range gets rejected back to the hypervisor. Further, logic exists across a set of parallel slices to synchronize the DMR move operation as it crosses a protected boundary address range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Garrett M. Drapala, James F. Driftmyer, Deanna P. Berger, Pak-kin Mak, Timothy J. Slegel, Rebecca S. Wisniewski
  • Publication number: 20160054101
    Abstract: A protective collapsible shield is provided. The protective collapsible shield may include a first panel, a second panel and a third panel. The first and second panels each have a rectangular protrusion or lip extending from a bottom edge. The third panel includes slots for housing the first panel and the second panel. The third panel further includes snapping straps for securing the first and second panels in the slots when the protective collapsible shield is in a retracted state. The third panel further includes multiple locking mechanisms. Each of the locking mechanisms includes a cylindrical rod, a handle fastened to the cylindrical rod and a housing for receiving the cylindrical rod. The locking mechanisms engage with the first and second rectangular protrusions to secure the first and second panels in the slots when the protective collapsible shield is in an extended state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Blake Rashad
  • Patent number: 9244851
    Abstract: A technique for cache coherency is provided. A cache controller selects a first set from multiple sets in a congruence class based on a cache miss for a first transaction, and places a lock on the entire congruence class in which the lock prevents other transactions from accessing the congruence class. The cache controller designates in a cache directory the first set with a marked bit indicating that the first transaction is working on the first set, and the marked bit for the first set prevents the other transactions from accessing the first set within the congruence class. The cache controller removes the lock on the congruence class based on the marked bit being designated for the first set, and resets the marked bit for the first set to an unmarked bit based on the first transaction completing work on the first set in the congruence class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Garrett M. Drapala, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9086990
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a computer system for bitline deletion, the system including a cache controller and cache. The system is configured to perform a method including detecting a first error when reading a first cache line, recording a first address of the first error, detecting a second error when reading a second cache line, recording a second address of the second error, comparing first and second bitline addresses, comparing the first and second wordline address, activating a bitline delete mode based on matching first and second bitline addresses and not matching first and second wordline addresses, detecting a third error when reading a third cache line, recording a third bitline address of the third error, comparing the second bitline address to the third bitline address and deleting a location corresponding to the third cache line based on the activated bitline delete mode and matching third and second bitline addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Hieu T. Huynh, Patrick J. Meaney, Arthur J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9003127
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to storing data to a system memory. An aspect includes accessing successive entries of a cache directory having a plurality of directory entries by a stepper engine, where access to the cache directory is given a lower priority than other cache operations. It is determined that a specific directory entry in the cache directory has a change line state that indicates it is modified. A store operation is performed to send a copy of the specific corresponding cache entry to the system memory as part of a cache management function. The specific directory entry is updated to indicate that the change line state is unmodified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Hieu T. Huynh, Kenneth D. Klapproth, Pak-Kin Mak, Vesselina K. Papazova
  • Patent number: 9003125
    Abstract: A technique for cache coherency is provided. A cache controller selects a first set from multiple sets in a congruence class based on a cache miss for a first transaction, and places a lock on the entire congruence class in which the lock prevents other transactions from accessing the congruence class. The cache controller designates in a cache directory the first set with a marked bit indicating that the first transaction is working on the first set, and the marked bit for the first set prevents the other transactions from accessing the first set within the congruence class. The cache controller removes the lock on the congruence class based on the marked bit being designated for the first set, and resets the marked bit for the first set to an unmarked bit based on the first transaction completing work on the first set in the congruence class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael Blake, Tim Bronson, Garrett Drapala, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8990507
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to storing data to a system memory. An aspect includes accessing successive entries of a cache directory having a plurality of directory entries by a stepper engine, where access to the cache directory is given a lower priority than other cache operations. It is determined that a specific directory entry in the cache directory has a change line state that indicates it is modified. A store operation is performed to send a copy of the specific corresponding cache entry to the system memory as part of a cache management function. The specific directory entry is updated to indicate that the change line state is unmodified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Pak-Kin Mak, Timothy C. Bronson, Hieu T. Huynh, Kenneth D. Klapproth, Vesselina K. Papazova
  • Patent number: 8972664
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to accessing a cache line on a multi-level cache system having a system memory. Based on a request for exclusive ownership of a specific cache line at the local node, requests are concurrently sent to the system memory and remote nodes of the plurality of nodes for the specific cache line by the local node. The specific cache line is found in a specific remote node. The specific remote node is one of the remote nodes. The specific cache line is removed from the specific remote node for exclusive ownership by another node. Based on the specified node having the specified cache line in ghost state, any subsequent fetch request is initiated for the specific cache line from the specific node encounters the ghost state. When the ghost state is encountered, the subsequent fetch request is directed only to nodes of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy C. Bronson, Garrett M. Drapala, Michael A. Blake, Craig R. Walters, Pak-Kin Mak
  • Patent number: 8930616
    Abstract: System refresh in a cache memory that includes generating a refresh time period (RTIM) pulse at a centralized refresh controller of the cache memory and activating a refresh request at the centralized refresh controller based on generating the RTIM pulse. The refresh request is associated with a single cache memory bank of the cache memory. A refresh grant is received and transmitted to a bank controller. The bank controller is associated with and localized at the single cache memory bank of the cache memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Hieu T. Huynh, Kenneth D. Klapproth
  • Patent number: 8918587
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to accessing a cache line on a multi-level cache system having a system memory. Based on a request for exclusive ownership of a specific cache line at the local node, requests are concurrently sent to the system memory and remote nodes of the plurality of nodes for the specific cache line by the local node. The specific cache line is found in a specific remote node. The specific remote node is one of the remote nodes. The specific cache line is removed from the specific remote node for exclusive ownership by another node. Based on the specified node having the specified cache line in ghost state, any subsequent fetch request is initiated for the specific cache line from the specific node encounters the ghost state. When the ghost state is encountered, the subsequent fetch request is directed only to nodes of the plurality of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy C. Bronson, Garrett M. Drapala, Michael A. Blake, Craig R. Walters, Pak-Kin Mak
  • Patent number: 8874957
    Abstract: A technique is provided for a cache. A cache controller accesses a set in a congruence class and determines that the set contains corrupted data based on an error being found. The cache controller determines that a delete parameter for taking the set offline is met and determines that a number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than an allowable offline number threshold. The cache controller determines not to take the set in which the error was found offline based on determining that the number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than the allowable offline number threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Hieu T. Huynh
  • Patent number: 8788891
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method including detecting a first error when reading a first cache line, recording a first address of the first error, detecting a second error when reading a second cache line and recording a second address of the second error. Embodiments also include comparing the first and second bitline address, comparing the first and second wordline address, activating a bitline delete mode based on matching first and second bitline addresses and not matching the first and second wordline addresses, detecting a third error when reading a third cache line, recording a third bitline address of the third error, comparing the second bitline address to a third bitline address and deleting a location corresponding to the third cache line from available cache locations based on the activated bitline delete mode and the third bitline address matching the second bitline address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Michael Fee, Hieu T. Huynh, Patrick J. Meaney, Arthur J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 8763979
    Abstract: The vehicle seat latch (16) disclosed includes an elongate pivot plate (32) pivotally mounted by a first pivotal connection (36) on a seat frame (28) by a mounting plate (26). A second pivotal connection (42) mounts a latch assembly (40) on the pivot plate (32). The latch assembly (40) includes a throat plate (46) having a throat (48) for receiving a vehicle body mounted striker (24), and the latch assembly (40) also includes at least one latch member (50, 52) movable between latched and unlatched positions for securing the latch to the striker (24). Pivoting of the pivot plate (32) about the first pivotal connection (36) and pivoting of the throat plate (46) about the second pivotal connection (42) provide the latch assembly with compliance that accommodates for striker position variation along transverse directions, which are vertical and horizontal when the seat is latched to the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Porter Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Sobieslaw W. Derbis