Patents by Inventor Michael Butts

Michael Butts 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: 7616027
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The configurable IC includes first and second interconnect circuits. The first interconnect circuit has a set of input terminals, a set of output terminals, and several connection schemes for communicatively coupling the input terminal set to the output terminal set. During the operation of the IC, the second connection circuit supplies sets of configuration data to the first interconnect circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the first interconnect circuit to use two different connection schemes that differently couple the input and output terminal sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Tabula, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20090167354
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes at least fifty configurable circuits arranged in an array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each configurable circuit for configurably performing a set of operations. At least a first configurable circuit reconfigures at a first reconfiguration rate. The first configurable circuit performs a different operation each time the first configurable circuit is reconfigured. The reconfiguration of the first configurable circuit does not follow any sequential progression through the set of operations of the first configurable circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20090160481
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The configurable IC includes first and second interconnect circuits. The first interconnect circuit has a set of input terminals, a set of output terminals, and several connection schemes for communicatively coupling the input terminal set to the output terminal set. During the operation of the IC, the second connection circuit supplies sets of configuration data to the first interconnect circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the first interconnect circuit to use two different connection schemes that differently couple the input and output terminal sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Patent number: 7532032
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first interface rate for exchanging signals with a circuit outside of the configurable IC. The configurable IC has an array of configurable circuits. The array includes several configurable logic and interconnect circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The configurable interconnect circuits can configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several of the configurable circuits can be reconfigured faster than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Tabula, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20090058461
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a logic circuit for receiving input data sets and configuration data sets and performing several functions on the input data sets. Each configuration data set specifies a particular function that the logic circuit has to perform on the input data set. The IC also includes a connection circuit for supplying sets of the configuration data to the logic circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the logic circuit to perform two different functions on the input data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Patent number: 7425841
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a logic circuit for receiving input data sets and configuration data sets and performing several functions on the input data sets. Each configuration data set specifies a particular function that the logic circuit has to perform on the input data set. The IC also includes a connection circuit for supplying sets of the configuration data to the logic circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the logic circuit to perform two different functions on the input data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Tabula Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Patent number: 7408382
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a first configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first configurable IC design. The first configurable IC implements a second IC design that is specified for a second IC that is to operate a particular design rate. The first configurable IC includes several configurable logic circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The IC also includes several configurable interconnect circuits that configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several configurable circuits can reconfigure faster than the particular design rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tabula, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070241791
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes at least fifty configurable circuits arranged in an array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each configurable circuit for configurably performing a set of operations. At least a first configurable circuit reconfigures at a first reconfiguration rate. The first configurable circuit performs a different operation each time the first configurable circuit is reconfigured. The reconfiguration of the first configurable circuit does not follow any sequential progression through the set of operations of the first configurable circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070241771
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a logic circuit for receiving input data sets and configuration data sets and performing several functions on the input data sets. Each configuration data set specifies a particular function that the logic circuit has to perform on the input data set. The IC also includes a connection circuit for supplying sets of the configuration data to the logic circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the logic circuit to perform two different functions on the input data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070241777
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The configurable IC includes first and second interconnect circuits. The first interconnect circuit has a set of input terminals, a set of output terminals, and several connection schemes for communicatively coupling the input terminal set to the output terminal set. During the operation of the IC, the second connection circuit supplies sets of configuration data to the first interconnect circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the first interconnect circuit to use two different connection schemes that differently couple the input and output terminal sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070241787
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a first configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first configurable IC design. The first configurable IC implements a second IC design that is specified for a second IC that is to operate a particular design rate. The first configurable IC includes several configurable logic circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The IC also includes several configurable interconnect circuits that configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several configurable circuits can reconfigure faster than the particular design rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070169022
    Abstract: A processor includes the standard mode of executing instructions from stored memory as well as a mode of executing from a separate instruction source. A programmable selector determines the source, and may be automatically programmed dependent on particular instructions. Streaming instructions from outside the processor provides an ability to have infinite program space. Further, booting processors in such an execution mode allows systems to be configured from external sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Paul Wasson, Michael Butts
  • Publication number: 20070124565
    Abstract: A processor includes multiple compute units and memory units arranged in groups of abutted tiles. Multiple tiles are arranged together along with input/output interfaces to form a processor system that can be configured to perform many different operations. A hierarchical communication network efficiently connects components within the tiles and between multiple tiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: AMBRIC, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Paul Wasson, Michael Butts
  • Publication number: 20070075737
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first interface rate for exchanging signals with a circuit outside of the configurable IC. The configurable IC has an array of configurable circuits. The array includes several configurable logic and interconnect circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The configurable interconnect circuits can configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several of the configurable circuits can be reconfigured faster than the first rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070066334
    Abstract: A communications system and a method of wireless communication for mobile units (MU) within a facility having a central controller (FP server), a plurality of wireless base stations (BS1-BS11) having an adjustable transmission power. The base stations are distributed throughout the facility for wireless communication with the controller and the mobile units (MU). The controller (FP server) configures the base stations (BS1-BS11) into a plurality of micro-cells (MC1-MC6) each including at least two base stations (BS1-BS11) by adjusting the wireless transmission power of the base stations (BS1-BS11) such that at least one base station (BS1-BS11) in each micro-cell (MC1-MC6) is a member of another micro-cell (MC1-MC6). At least one base station is able to communicate with the central controller (FP server) and all mobile units (MU) within a selected area of the facility are able to communicate with at least one base station (BS1-BS11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: ICT SYSTEMS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Michael Butts, Amir Khoskbijary, Michael McCann
  • Patent number: 7193440
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The configurable IC includes first and second interconnect circuits. The first interconnect circuit has a set of input terminals, a set of output terminals, and several connection schemes for communicatively coupling the input terminal set to the output terminal set. During the operation of the IC, the second connection circuit supplies sets of configuration data to the first interconnect circuit at a particular rate for at least a particular time period. At least two supplied configuration data sets are different and configure the first interconnect circuit to use two different connection schemes that differently couple the input and output terminal sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Publication number: 20070025382
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system of communicating, data within an integrated circuit. Multiple components, or channels, can share common physical communication lines between elements within the system. In some aspect, only one component can access the physical lines at a given time and a selection device chooses which component is active on the physical lines and makes the appropriate connection to the lines. The selection and connection can be completed without requiring or reporting information to the components, and is thus transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Ambric, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Jones, Paul Wasson, Michael Butts
  • Patent number: 7167025
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes at least fifty configurable circuits arranged in an array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each configurable circuit for configurably performing a set of operations. At least a first configurable circuit reconfigures at a first reconfiguration rate. The first configurable circuit performs a different operation each time the first configurable circuit is reconfigured. The reconfiguration of the first configurable circuit does not follow any sequential progression through the set of operations of the first configurable circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Patent number: 7157933
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a first configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first configurable IC design. The first configurable IC implements a second IC design that is specified for a second IC that is to operate a particular design rate. The first configurable IC includes several configurable logic circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The IC also includes several configurable interconnect circuits that configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several configurable circuits can reconfigure faster than the particular design rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig
  • Patent number: 7109752
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has a first interface rate for exchanging signals with a circuit outside of the configurable IC. The configurable IC has an array of configurable circuits. The array includes several configurable logic and interconnect circuits. Each configurable logic circuit can configurably perform a set of functions. The configurable interconnect circuits can configurably couple the logic circuits. At least several of the configurable circuits can be reconfigured faster than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventors: Herman Schmit, Michael Butts, Brad L. Hutchings, Steven Teig