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: 20120242106
    Abstract: A vehicle seat front floor latch and positioner assembly (26) for a rear vehicle seat (10) movable between a seating position, a generally horizontal nonuse position, and a generally vertical storage position as well as being removable from the vehicle to increase cargo capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: PORTER GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Robert L. Haeske, Brent C. Everett
  • Patent number: 8250308
    Abstract: The method includes initiating a processor request to a cache in a requesting node and broadcasting the processor request to remote nodes when the processor request encounters a local cache miss, performing a directory search of each remote cache to determine a state of a target line's address and an ownership state of a specified address, returning the state of the target line to the requesting node and forming a combined response, and broadcasting the combined response to each remote node. During a fetch operation, when the directory search indicates an IM or a Target Memory node on a remote node, data is sourced from the respective remote cache and forwarded to the requesting node while protecting the data, and during a store operation, the data is sourced from the requesting node and protected while being forwarded to the IM or the Target Memory node after coherency has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vesselina K. Papazova, Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, Jr., Craig R. Waters
  • Publication number: 20120210070
    Abstract: A mechanism for data buffering is provided. A portion of a cache is allocated as buffer regions, and another portion of the cache is designated as random access memory (RAM). One of the buffer regions is assigned to a processor. A data block is stored to the one of the buffer regions of the cache according an instruction of the processor. The data block is stored from the one of the buffer regions of the cache to the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Pak-kin Mak, Craig R. Walters
  • Patent number: 8131937
    Abstract: Improved access to retained data useful to a system is accomplished by managing data flow through cache associated with the processor(s) of a multi-node system. A data management facility operable with the processors and memory array directs the flow of data from the processors to the memory array by determining the path along which data evicted from a level of cache close to one of the processors is to return to a main memory and directing evicted data to be stored, if possible, in a horizontally associated cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Harmony L. Helterhoff, Arthur J. O'Neill, Vesselina K. Papazova, Craig R. Walters
  • Publication number: 20110320699
    Abstract: System refresh in a cache memory includes generating a refresh time period (RTIM) pulse at a centralized refresh controller of the cache memory, activating a refresh request at the centralized refresh controller in response to generating the RTIM pulse, the refresh request associated with a single cache memory bank of the cache memory, receiving a refresh grant in response to activating the refresh request, and transmitting the refresh grant to a bank controller, the bank controller associated, and localized, at the single cache memory bank of the cache memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Blake, Timothy Bronson, Hieu Huynh, Kenneth D. Klapproth
  • Publication number: 20110320738
    Abstract: Maintaining cache coherence in a multi-node, symmetric multiprocessing computer, the computer composed of a plurality of compute nodes, including, broadcasting upon a cache miss by the first compute node to other compute nodes a request for the cache line; if at least two of the compute nodes has a correct copy of the cache line, selecting which compute node is to transmit the correct copy of the cache line to the first node, and transmitting from the selected compute node to the first node the correct copy of the cache line; and updating by each node the state of the cache line in each node, in dependence upon one or more of the states of the cache line in all the nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Garrett M. Drapala, Pak-Kin Mak, Vesselina K. Papazova, Craig R. Walters
  • Publication number: 20110320862
    Abstract: Embedded dynamic random access memory (EDRAM) macro disablement in a cache memory includes isolating an EDRAM macro of a cache memory bank, the cache memory bank being divided into at least three rows of a plurality of EDRAM macros, the EDRAM macro being associated with one of the at least three rows, iteratively testing each line of the EDRAM macro, the testing including attempting at least one write operation at each line of the EDRAM macro, determining if an error occurred during the testing, and disabling write operations for an entire row of EDRAM macros associated with the EDRAM macro based on the determining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Hieu T. Huynh, Pak-kin Mak
  • Publication number: 20110320778
    Abstract: Serializing instructions in a multiprocessor system includes receiving a plurality of processor requests at a central point in the multiprocessor system. Each of the plurality of processor requests includes a needs register having a requestor needs switch and a resource needs switch. The method also includes establishing a tail switch indicating the presence of the plurality of processor requests at the central point, establishing a sequential order of the plurality of processor requests, and processing the plurality of processor requests at the central point in the sequential order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Garrett M. Drapala, Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Lawrence D. Curley
  • Publication number: 20110320730
    Abstract: A mechanism for data buffering is provided. A portion of a cache is allocated as buffer regions, and another portion of the cache is designated as random access memory (RAM). One of the buffer regions is assigned to a processor. A data block is stored to the one of the buffer regions of the cache according an instruction of the processor. The data block is stored from the one of the buffer regions of the cache to the memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Timothy C. Bronson, Pak-kin Mak, Craig R. Walters
  • Publication number: 20110320755
    Abstract: Tracking dynamic memory de-allocation using a single configuration table having a first register and a second register includes setting the first register as an active register, initiating a de-allocation of desired storage increments from a memory partition, setting the storage increments in the second register as invalid, purging all caches associated with the single configuration table, setting the second register as the active register and the first register as an inactive register, setting the desired storage increments in the first register as invalid, switching the active register from the second register to the first register to complete memory de-allocation using the single configuration table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak, Michael F. Fee, Mark S. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20110314228
    Abstract: Maintaining cache coherence in a multi-node, symmetric multiprocessing computer, the computer composed of a plurality of compute nodes, including, broadcasting upon a cache miss by a first compute node a request for a cache line; transmitting from each of the other compute nodes to all other nodes the state of the cache line on that node, including transmitting from any compute node having a correct copy to the first node the correct copy of the cache line; and updating by each node the state of the cache line in each node, in dependence upon one or more of the states of the cache line in all the nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Garrett M. Drapala, Pak-Kin Mak, Vesselina K. Papazova, Craig R. Walters
  • Publication number: 20110314227
    Abstract: Horizontal cache persistence in a multi-compute node, SMP computer, including, responsive to a determination to evict a cache line on a first one of the compute nodes, broadcasting by a first compute node an eviction notice for the cache line; transmitting the state of the cache line receiving compute nodes, including, if the cache line is missing from a compute node, an indication whether that compute node has cache storage space available for the cache line; determining by the first compute node, according to the states of the cache line and space available, whether the first compute node can evict the cache line without writing the cache line to main memory; and updating by each compute node the state of the cache line in each compute node, in dependence upon one or more of the states of the cache line in all the compute nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Lawrence D. Curley, Garrett M. Drapala, Edward J. Kaminski, JR., Craig R. Walters
  • Patent number: 7934059
    Abstract: A method of preventing lockout and stalling conditions in a multi-node system having a plurality of nodes which includes initiating a processor request to a shared level of cache in a requesting node, performing a fabric coherency establishment sequence on the plurality of nodes, issuing a speculative memory fetch request to a memory, detecting a conflict on one of the plurality of nodes and communicating the conflict back to the requesting node within the system, canceling the speculative memory fetch request issued, and repeating the fabric coherency establishment sequence in the system until the point of conflict is resolved, without issuing another speculative memory fetch request. The subsequent memory fetch request is only issued after determining the state of line within the system, after the successful completion of the multi-node fabric coherency establishment sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vesselina K. Papazova, Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, Jr., Craig R. Waters
  • Patent number: 7818504
    Abstract: A storage system may include storage, a main pipeline to carry data for the storage, and a store pipeline to carry data for the storage. The storage system may also include a controller to prioritize data storage requests for the storage based upon available interleaves and which pipeline is associated with the data storage requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Derrin M. Berger, Michael A. Blake, Garrett M Drapala, Pak-kin Mak
  • Publication number: 20090210626
    Abstract: The method includes initiating a processor request to a cache in a requesting node and broadcasting the processor request to remote nodes when the processor request encounters a local cache miss, performing a directory search of each remote cache to determine a state of a target line's address and an ownership slate of a specified address, returning the state of the target line to the requesting node and forming a combined response, and broadcasting the combined response to each remote node. During a fetch operation, when the directory search indicates an IM or a Target Memory node on a remote node, data is sourced from the respective remote cache and forwarded to the requesting node while protecting the data, and during a store operation, the data is sourced from the requesting node and protected while being forwarded to the IM or the Target Memory node after coherency has been established.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vesselina K. Papazova, Ekaterina M. Ambroladze, Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR., Craig R. Waters
  • Publication number: 20090210629
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for selectively purging entries in a cache of a computer system. The method includes determining a starting storage address and a length of the storage address range to be purged, determining preset values for a congruence class and a compartment of a cache directory, accessing the cache directory based on the preset value of the congruence class, and selecting an entry in the cache directory based on the preset value of the compartment, determining validity of the entry accessed by examining an ownership tag of the entry, comparing a line address of the entry with the starting storage address and a sum of the starting storage address and the length of the storage address range, and selectively purging the entry based on the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Blake, Christine C. Jones, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090193198
    Abstract: A method of preventing lockout and stalling conditions in a multi-node system having a plurality of nodes which includes initiating a processor request to a shared level of cache in a requesting node, performing a fabric coherency establishment sequence on the plurality of nodes, issuing a speculative memory fetch request to a memory, detecting a conflict on one of the plurality of nodes and communicating the conflict back to the requesting node within the system, canceling the speculative memory fetch request issued, and repeating the fabric coherency establishment sequence in the system until the point of conflict is resolved, without issuing another speculative memory fetch request. The subsequent memory fetch request is only issued after determining the state of line within the system, after the successful completion of the multi-node fabric coherency establishment sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vesselina K. Papazova, Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak, Arthur J. O'Neill, Jr., Craig R. Waters
  • Patent number: 7523267
    Abstract: A method to use of dual valid bit sets including a regular bit set and alternate valid bits set which prevents new requests to a given cache line from entering a multi-nodal computer systems' nest system until all requests to the given cache line have been completed successfully. By providing the alternate valid bits the dual set of resource valids for each remote requester is provided for each remote requester, where one set of valids indicates if the resource is valid and actively working on the line, and the other set of valids indicates if the resource was valid but encountered some conflict that requires resolution before the request can complete. Only on successful reload and completion of the remote operation does this alternate address valid bit reset and open the way for any pending interface requests to proceed, so all outstanding requests currently loaded in a local resource within the nest system are able to complete before new interface requests are allowed into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Walters, Vesselina K. Papazova, Michael A. Blake, Pak-kin Mak
  • Patent number: 7510512
    Abstract: The present exercise machine includes a frame, a seat, foot pedals, a resistance device and a hand crank assembly. The resistance device includes a rotating element such as a cylindrical fan which would require a power input in order to continue rotating. The hand crank assembly is pivotably mounted to the frame such that the hand crank assembly can quickly pivot between a first position suitable for a seated operator and a second position suitable for an upright operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Blake Taggett
  • Publication number: 20090083491
    Abstract: A storage system may include storage, a main pipeline to carry data for the storage, and a store pipeline to carry data for the storage. The storage system may also include a controller to prioritize data storage requests for the storage based upon available interleaves and which pipeline is associated with the data storage requests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Derrin M. Berger, Michael A. Blake, Garrett M. Drapala, Pak-kin Mak