Patents by Inventor Michael Stephen Fulton

Michael Stephen Fulton 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: 9535937
    Abstract: A method for implementing a geometric array in a computing environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing an array of slots, where each slot is configured to store a pointer. Each pointer in the array points to a block of elements. Each pointer with the exception of the first pointer in the array points to a block of elements that is twice as large as the block of elements associated with the preceding pointer. Such a structure allows the geometric array to grow by simply adding a pointer to the array that points to a new block of elements that is twice as large as the block of elements associated with the preceding pointer in the array. A corresponding computer program product, as well as a method for accessing data in the geometric array, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Stephen Fulton
  • Patent number: 8423594
    Abstract: A method for implementing a hash map to improve performance consistency is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a hash map comprising a set of tables, the set of tables initially containing a first table. When the first table is full, the method augments the hash map by adding a second table to the set of tables. Similarly, when the second table is full, the method augments the hash map by adding a third table to the set of tables. A similar technique may be used to add additional tables to the hash map. When searching for a value in any of the tables in the hash map, the method uses the same hash code. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Fulton, Mark Graham Stoodley
  • Patent number: 8140597
    Abstract: The number of CPU cycles required to reclaim object memory space in a memory management process is reduced by using a two phase approach. A data structure exists for each object that is to be loaded into object memory space. One part of the data structure is the object definition. The other part is a MM (Memory Management) immunity annotation or value that controls the frequency with which the object must actually be examined to determine if it is suitable for reclamation. On each iteration of the memory management process, the object's MM immunity value is tested to determine whether it is greater than a predetermined threshold. If greater than the threshold, the value is decremented, but the object is not actually examined for its suitability for removal. If the value equals the threshold, the object itself is examined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gary John DeVal, Michael Stephen Fulton, Curtis E. Hrischuk, Ryan Andrew Sciampacone
  • Publication number: 20090063594
    Abstract: The number of CPU cycles required to reclaim object memory space in a memory management process is reduced by using a two phase approach. A data structure exists for each object that is to be loaded into object memory space. One part of the data structure is the object definition. The other part is a MM (Memory Management) immunity annotation or value that controls the frequency with which the object must actually be examined to determine if it is suitable for reclamation. On each iteration of the memory management process, the object's MM immunity value is tested to determine whether it is greater than a predetermined threshold. If greater than the threshold, the value is decremented, but the object is not actually examined for its suitability for removal. If the value equals the threshold, the object itself is examined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary John DeVal, Michael Stephen Fulton, Curtis E. Hrischuk, Ryan Andrew Sciampacone