Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Bland

Patrick M. Bland 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: 8607003
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for memory access to a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) form factor flash memory are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by a controller from a processor through cacheable memory in the processor, a read request; transmitting, by the controller, the read request to the DIMM form factor flash memory; polling, by the controller, a read queue in the DIMM form factor flash memory until data is ready for the read request; copying from the DIMM form factor flash memory, by the controller, the data corresponding to the read request to a read queue in the controller; transmitting, by the controller on an interface between the controller and the processor, an invalidate command for the cacheable memory; and in response to receiving the invalidate command, reading by the processor the data stored in the read queue in the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Dhruv M. Desai, Jimmy G. Foster, Sr., Makoto Ono
  • Publication number: 20130166849
    Abstract: A computing system with physically remote shared computer memory, the computing system including: a remote memory management module, a plurality of computing devices, a plurality of remote memory modules that are external to the plurality of computing devices, and a remote memory controller, the remote memory management module configured to partition the physically remote shared computer memory amongst a plurality of computing devices; each computing device including a computer processor and a local memory controller, the local memory controller including: a processor interface, a local memory interface, and a local interconnect interface; each remote memory controller including: a remote memory interface and a remote interconnect interface, wherein the remote memory controller is operatively coupled to the data communications interconnect via the remote interconnect interface such that the remote memory controller is coupled for data communications with the local memory controller over the data communication
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce L. Beukema, Patrick M. Bland, Randolph S. Kolvick, James A. Marcella, Makoto Ono, Paul G. Reuland
  • Publication number: 20130166672
    Abstract: A computing system with physically remote shared computer memory, the computing system including: a remote memory management module, a plurality of computing devices, a plurality of remote memory modules that are external to the plurality of computing devices, and a remote memory controller, the remote memory management module configured to partition the physically remote shared computer memory amongst a plurality of computing devices; each computing device including a computer processor and a local memory controller, the local memory controller including: a processor interface, a local memory interface, and a local interconnect interface; each remote memory controller including: a remote memory interface and a remote interconnect interface, wherein the remote memory controller is operatively coupled to the data communications interconnect via the remote interconnect interface such that the remote memory controller is coupled for data communications with the local memory controller over the data communication
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce L. Beukema, Patrick M. Bland, Randolph S. Kolvick, James A. Marcella, Makoto Ono, Paul G. Reuland
  • Publication number: 20130019048
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for memory access to a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) form factor flash memory are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by a controller from a processor through cacheable memory in the processor, a read request; transmitting, by the controller, the read request to the DIMM form factor flash memory; polling, by the controller, a read queue in the DIMM form factor flash memory until data is ready for the read request; copying from the DIMM form factor flash memory, by the controller, the data corresponding to the read request to a read queue in the controller; transmitting, by the controller on an interface between the controller and the processor, an invalidate command for the cacheable memory; and in response to receiving the invalidate command, reading by the processor the data stored in the read queue in the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Dhruv M. Desai, Jimmy G. Foster, SR., Makoto Ono
  • Publication number: 20120173653
    Abstract: A computer program product and computer implemented method are provided for migrating a virtual machine between servers. The virtual machine is initially operated on a first server, wherein the first server accesses the virtual machine image over a network at a memory location within fabric attached memory. The virtual machine is migrated from the first server to a second server by flushing data to the virtual machine image from cache memory associated with the virtual machine on the first server and providing the state and memory location of the virtual machine to the second server. The virtual machine may then operate on the second server, wherein the second server accesses the virtual machine image over the network at the same memory location within the fabric attached memory without copying the virtual machine image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, John M. Borkenhagen, Thomas M. Bradicich, Dhruv M. Desai, Jimmy G. Foster, SR., Joseph J. Jakubowski, Randolph S. Kolvick, Makoto Ono
  • Patent number: 8102651
    Abstract: Method and apparatus providing airflow through a chassis including an upstream column of memory modules and a downstream column of memory modules. The airflow is divided into first and second separate airflow streams extending from an upstream end of the upstream column to a downstream end of the downstream column. The first airflow stream is guided into contact with a single memory module operably-installed in the upstream column and to avoid contact with any memory module in the downstream column. The second airflow stream is guided to avoid contact with any memory module in the upstream column and into contact with a single memory module operably-installed in the downstream column. The improved cooling enables the extended use of a single memory module per channel, even though the thermal load on such a memory module is greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Vinod Kamath, Jimmy G. Foster, Sr., Ivan R. Zapata
  • Patent number: 7984326
    Abstract: Memory downsizing in a computer memory subsystem, the subsystem including one or more channels of computer memory with each channel including several Dual In-line Memory Modules (‘DIMMs’) and each DIMM capable of on-die termination (‘ODT’). Memory downsizing according to embodiments of the present invention includes identifying, during a memory initialization test in a Power On Self Test (‘POST’) by a firmware module, a defective DIMM of a particular channel in the computer memory subsystem and disabling, by the firmware module, the defective DIMM, including enabling ODT for the defective DIMM without disabling any non-defective DIMMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Jimmy G. Foster, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110080700
    Abstract: Method and apparatus providing airflow through a chassis including an upstream column of memory modules and a downstream column of memory modules. The airflow is divided into first and second separate airflow streams extending from an upstream end of the upstream column to a downstream end of the downstream column. The first airflow stream is guided into contact with a single memory module operably-installed in the upstream column and to avoid contact with any memory module in the downstream column. The second airflow stream is guided to avoid contact with any memory module in the upstream column and into contact with a single memory module operably-installed in the downstream column. The improved cooling enables the extended use of a single memory module per channel, even though the thermal load on such a memory module is greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Vinod Kamath, Jimmy G. Foster, SR., Ivan R. Zapata
  • Publication number: 20100293410
    Abstract: Memory downsizing in a computer memory subsystem, the subsystem including one or more channels of computer memory with each channel including several Dual In-line Memory Modules (‘DIMMs’) and each DIMM capable of on-die termination (‘ODT’). Memory downsizing according to embodiments of the present invention includes identifying, during a memory initialization test in a Power On Self Test (‘POST’) by a firmware module, a defective DIMM of a particular channel in the computer memory subsystem and disabling, by the firmware module, the defective DIMM, including enabling ODT for the defective DIMM without disabling any non-defective DIMMs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Jimmy G. Foster, SR.
  • Patent number: 7694055
    Abstract: Interrupts are directed to currently idle processors. Which of a number of processors of a computing system that are currently idle is determined. An interrupt is received and directed to one of the currently idle processors for processing. Determining which processors are currently idle can be accomplished by monitoring each processor to determine whether it has entered an idle state. When a processor has entered an idle state, it is thus determined that the processor is currently idle. Where just one processor is currently idle, an interrupt is directed to this processor. Where more than one processor is currently idle, one of these processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt, such as in a round-robin manner. Where no processor is currently idle, then one of the processors is selected to which to deliver an interrupt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Orita, Susumu Arai, Brian D. Allison, Patrick M. Bland
  • Patent number: 7562247
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing independent clock failover for scalable blade servers that include assigning a server blade to one of a plurality of clock failover groups, providing a plurality of independent clock signals to the clock generator of the server blade, wherein one of the plurality of independent clock signals is an active clock signal, detecting a failover condition for the clock failover group assigned to the server blade, and switching the active clock signal, in response to the detected failover condition, from one independent clock signal to another independent clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus A. Baker, Justin P. Bandholz, Patrick M. Bland, Andrew S. Heinzmann
  • Publication number: 20090006673
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for detecting a presence of a device that includes providing a clock driver having a pair of differential clock signal lines capable of connection to a device, providing a presence detection signal for transmission through the pair of differential clock signal lines, determining whether the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines, and identifying the presence of the device if the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Randoph S. Kolvick
  • Patent number: 7464195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting a presence of a device. Specifically, a method and a system are disclosed that may comprise providing a clock driver having a pair of differential clock signal lines capable of connection to a device, providing a presence detection signal for transmission through the pair of differential clock signal lines, determining whether the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines, identifying the absence of the device if no presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines, identifying the presence of the device if the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines, and notifying a system management module of the presence of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Randoph S. Kolvick
  • Publication number: 20080120451
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically enabling replacement hardware. A method for automatically enabling hardware in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: setting a presence bit of the hardware to a first value in response to a removal of the hardware from a socket; replacing the hardware into the socket; storing the first value of the presence bit in a memory; and automatically re-enabling the socket based on the stored first value of the presence bit for the socket or for assemblies containing the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Randolph S. Kolvick, Patrick M. Bland
  • Publication number: 20080005407
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for detecting a presence of a device that includes providing a clock driver having a pair of differential clock signal lines capable of connection to a device, providing a presence detection signal for transmission through the pair of differential clock signal lines, determining whether the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines, and identifying the presence of the device if the presence detection signal is received through the pair of differential clock signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Randoph S. Kolvick
  • Publication number: 20070294561
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing independent clock failover for scalable blade servers that include assigning a server blade to one of a plurality of clock failover groups, providing a plurality of independent clock signals to the clock generator of the server blade, wherein one of the plurality of independent clock signals is an active clock signal, detecting a failover condition for the clock failover group assigned to the server blade, and switching the active clock signal, in response to the detected failover condition, from one independent clock signal to another independent clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Marcus A. Baker, Justin P. Bandholz, Patrick M. Bland, Andrew S. Heinzmann
  • Patent number: 6601109
    Abstract: A system and method for providing network communications between personal computer systems using USB communications. The disclosed USB networking hub allows multiple hosts to exist in a USB-based network. The networking hub includes an integrated virtual network adapter, which provides for communications among and between multiple hosts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bealkowski, Patrick M. Bland
  • Patent number: 6330656
    Abstract: A system for partitioning and allocating individual PCI slots within a Primary Host Bridge (PHB) in a partitioned computer system is provided. An innovative PHB system is included which allows a PCI slot to be dynamically assigned to one or more partitions at a given time, allowing for more efficient allocation of system resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Bealkowski, Patrick M. Bland
  • Patent number: 5623697
    Abstract: A system having an industry standard architecture (ISA) bus with a 24-bit memory addressing capacity and a peripheral controller interconnect (PCI) bus with a 32-bit memory addressing capacity, is provided with a bridge coupled between the ISA and PCI buses. The bridge has a direct memory access (DMA) controller circuit that generates 32-bit memory addresses for DMA transfer operations over the PCI bus. The DMA controller circuit includes a pair of cascaded DMA controllers that generate the 16 least significant bits of the 32-bit memory addresses, and address extension logic having a low page register that provides the 8 next most significant bits of the 32-bit memory addresses, and a high page register that provides the 8 most significant bits of the 32-bit memory addresses. The 16 bits provided by the low and high page registers are concatenated with the lower 16 bits to form the 32-bit addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Daniel R. Cronin, III, Richard G. Hofmann, Dennis Moeller, Lance M. Venarchick
  • Patent number: 5619729
    Abstract: A device and method for power management of direct memory access ("DMA") slaves through DMA traps. The device comprises a plurality of registers coupled with conventional logic in order to generate a control signal for disabling direct memory access transfer requests for a powered-off DMA slave until the slave is re-powered. The method for managing power comprises steps of unmasking bits in a register containing information regarding which DMA slaves have been powered-off. Next, the DMA Controller consults a power management macro ("PMM") to determine whether a DMA transfer request involves a powered-off DMA slave. If not, the DMA transfer continues. However, if the DMA transfer does involve a powered-off DMA slave, then a main software application in operation is temporarily halted and the PMM generates a SMI signal and outputs the SMI signal to the central processing unit ("CPU") while keeping the disable control signal asserted, which effectively disables the DMA channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignees: Intel Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick M. Bland, Richard G. Hofmann, Robert T. Jackson, Nader Amini, Bechara F. Boury, Jayesh Joshi