Patents by Inventor Richard A. Uhlig

Richard A. Uhlig 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).

  • Optimizing processor-managed resources based on the behavior of a virtual machine monitor
    Patent number: 8079034
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a predefined behavior of a virtual machine monitor (VMM) with respect to one or more virtual machines (VMs) is identified, and processor-managed resources associated with the one or more VMs are utilized based on the predefined behavior of the VMM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kägi, Gilbert Neiger, Richard Uhlig, Xiang Zou, Lawrence Smith, Scott Rodgers
  • Virtual interrupt processing in a layered virtualization architecture
    Patent number: 7975267
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for processing virtual interrupts in a layered virtualization architecture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes virtual machine entry logic, recognition logic, and evaluation logic. The virtual machine entry logic is to transfer control of the apparatus from a host to a guest. The recognition logic is to recognize a virtual interrupt request. The evaluation logic is to determine whether to transfer control from the guest to an intervening monitor in response to the virtual interrupt request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Gilbert Neiger, Dion Rodgers, Richard A. Uhlig, Lawrence O. Smith, Barry E. Huntley
  • MAINTAINING PROCESSOR RESOURCES DURING ARCHITECTURAL EVENTS
    Publication number: 20110125952
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes switching between a first address space and a second address space, determining if the second address space exists in a list of address spaces; and maintaining entries of the first address space in a translation buffer after the switching. In such manner, overhead associated with such a context switch may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jason W. Brandt, Sanjoy K. Mondal, Richard Uhlig, Gilbert Neiger, Robert T. George
  • VIRTUALIZING PHYSICAL MEMORY IN A VIRTUAL MACHINE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110087822
    Abstract: A processor including a virtualization system of the processor with a memory virtualization support system to map a reference to guest-physical memory made by guest software executable on a virtual machine which in turn is executable on a host machine in which the processor is operable to a reference to host-physical memory of the host machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Gilbert Neiger, Rajesh Sankaran Madukkarumukumana, Richard Uhlig, Larry Smith, Dion Rodgers
  • Apparatus and method for unilaterally loading a secure operating system within a multiprocessor environment
    Patent number: 7921293
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unilaterally loading a secure operating system within a multiprocessor environment are described. The method includes disregarding a received load secure region instruction when a currently active load secure region operation is detected. Otherwise, a memory protection element is directed, in response to the received load secure region instruction, to form a secure memory environment. Once directed, unauthorized read/write access to one or more protected memory regions are prohibited. Finally, a cryptographic hash value of the one or more protected memory regions is stored within a digest information repository as a secure software identification value. Once stored, outside agents may request access to a digitally signed software identification value to establish security verification of secure software within the secure memory environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kozuch, James A. Sutton, II, David Grawrock, Gilbert Neiger, Richard A. Uhlig, Bradley G. Burgess, David I. Poisner, Clifford D. Hall, Andy Glew, Lawrence O. Smith, III, Robert George
  • Method of improving computer security through sandboxing
    Patent number: 7908653
    Abstract: Improving security of a processing system may be accomplished by at least one of executing and accessing a suspect file in a sandbox virtual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ernie F. Brickell, Clifford D. Hall, Joseph F. Cihula, Richard Uhlig
  • Maintaining processor resources during architectural events
    Patent number: 7904694
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes switching between a first address space and a second address space, determining if the second address space exists in a list of address spaces; and maintaining entries of the first address space in a translation buffer after the switching. In such manner, overhead associated with such a context switch may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jason W. Brandt, Sanjoy K. Mondal, Richard Uhlig, Gilbert Neiger, Robert T. George
  • Maintaining processor resources during architectural events
    Patent number: 7899972
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method includes switching between a first address space and a second address space, determining if the second address space exists in a list of address spaces; and maintaining entries of the first address space in a translation buffer after the switching. In such manner, overhead associated with such a context switch may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jason W. Brandt, Sanjoy K. Mondal, Richard Uhlig, Gilbert Neiger, Robert T. George
  • Interrupt processing in a layered virtualization architecture
    Patent number: 7900204
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for processing interrupts in a layered virtualization architecture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a recognition logic, window logic, and evaluation logic. The event logic is to recognize an interrupt request. The window logic is to determine whether an interrupt window is open. The evaluation logic is to determine whether to transfer control to one of at least two virtual machine monitors in response to the interrupt request if the interrupt window is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Gilbert Neiger, Dion Rodgers, Richard A. Uhlig, Lawrence O. Smith, Barry E. Huntley
  • VIRTUALIZATION EVENT PROCESSING IN A LAYERED VIRTUALIZATION ARCHITECTURE
    Publication number: 20110047547
    Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for processing virtualization events in a layered virtualization architecture are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a event logic and evaluation logic. The event logic is to recognize a virtualization event. The evaluation logic is to determine whether to transfer control from a child guest to a parent guest in response to the virtualization event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Gilbert Neiger, Dion Rodgers, Richard A. Uhlig, Lawrence O. Smith, Barry E. Huntley
  • Optimizing system behavior in a virtual machine environment
    Patent number: 7886293
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of transitioning control to guest software in a virtual machine from a virtual machine monitor, receiving control following a transition from the virtual machine to the virtual machine monitor upon an event, and determining whether to modify a state of the guest code, a state of the virtual machine monitor or a state of controls. If such a determination is made, the state may be modified and control is transitioned back to the guest software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew V. Anderson, Steven M. Bennett, Erik C. Cota-Robles, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kägi, Michael A. Goldsmith, Sebastian Schoenberg, Richard Uhlig
  • Extended paging tables to map guest physical memory addresses from virtual memory page tables to host physical memory addresses in a virtual machine system
    Patent number: 7886126
    Abstract: A processor including a virtualization system of the processor with a memory virtualization support system to map a reference to guest-physical memory made by guest software executable on a virtual machine which in turn is executable on a host machine in which the processor is operable to a reference to host-physical memory of the host machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Gilbert Neiger, Rajesh Sankaran Madukkarumukumana, Richard Uhlig, Larry Smith, Dion Rodgers
  • FALL ARREST SELF RESCUING TROLLEY AND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20110005861
    Abstract: A trolley and fall arrest safety system is disclosed for movement along an elevated track to support a person who has fallen off of a structure adjacent the track. The trolley is arranged to roll on along a surface of the track in a longitudinal direction to suspend a person therefrom in the event that the person falls from an elevated position adjacent the track. The trolley includes an immobilizing assembly including a flexible strap. The strap is arranged to be pulled by the suspended worker to releasably fix the trolley at a longitudinal position on the track, so that the person can swing himself/herself to move the trolley to a desired safety position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: TRANSOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Uhlig, Arnold Timothy Galpin, David A. Pisotti
  • Invalidating translation lookaside buffer entries in a virtual machine (VM) system
    Patent number: 7865670
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a technique to invalidate entries in a translation lookaside buffer (TLB). A TLB in a processor has a plurality of TLB entries. Each TLB entry is associated with a virtual machine extension (VMX) tag word indicating if the associated TLB entry is invalidated according to a processor mode when an invalidation operation is performed. The processor mode is one of execution in a virtual machine (VM) and execution not in a virtual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Erik C. Cota-Robles, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kagi, Michael A. Kozuch, Gilbert Neiger, Richard Uhlig
  • Method and apparatus for facilitating recognition of an open event window during operation of guest software in a virtual machine environment
    Patent number: 7861245
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes transitioning control to a virtual machine (VM) upon receiving a request from a virtual machine monitor (VMM), determining that the request to transition control is associated with a request to be informed of an open event window, performing an event window check to determine whether an even window of the VM is open, and transitioning control to the VMM if the event window check indicates that the event window of the VM is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Andrew V. Anderson, Erik Cota-Robles, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kagi, Gilbert Neiger, Richard Uhlig
  • System and method for controlling switching between VMM and VM using enabling value of VMM timer indicator and VMM timer value having a specified time
    Patent number: 7840962
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes transitioning control to a virtual machine (VM) from a virtual machine monitor (VMM), determining that a VMM timer indicator is set to an enabling value, and identifying a VMM timer value configured by the VMM. The method further includes periodically comparing a current value of a timing source with the VMM timer value, generating an internal event if the current value of the timing source has reached the VMM timer value, and transitioning control to the VMM in response to the internal event without incurring an event handling procedure in any one of the VMM and the VM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Neiger, Steven M. Bennett, Erik Cota-Robles, Sebastian Schoenberg, Clifford D. Hall, Dion Rodgers, Lawrence O. Smith, Andrew V. Anderson, Richard A. Uhlig, Michael Kozuch, Andy Glew
  • Processor mode for limiting the operation of guest software running on a virtual machine supported by a virtual machine monitor
    Patent number: 7818808
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a processor mode is provided for guest software. The processor mode enables the guest software to operate at a privilege level intended by the guest software. When the guest software attempts to perform an operation restricted by the processor mode, the processor mode is exited to transfer control over the operation to a virtual-machine monitor, which runs outside this processor mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Neiger, Stephen Chou, Erik Cota-Robles, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kagi, Michael Kozuch, Richard Uhlig
  • Support for transitioning to a virtual machine monitor based upon the privilege level of guest software
    Patent number: 7802250
    Abstract: A system and method for allowing a virtual machine monitor to assume control of a system when the current privilege level of guest software meets a privilege level exiting criteria. The processor detects that the current privilege level meets the criteria and then transfers control from the guest software to the virtual machine monitor. The virtual machine monitor may decline to assume control for certain privilege level changes or values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Volkmar Uhlig, Steven M. Bennett, Erik C. Cota-Robles, Sebastian S. Schoenberg, Andrew V. Anderson, Richard A. Uhlig, Gilbert Neiger
  • Methods and systems to manage machine state in virtual machine operations
    Patent number: 7793286
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to control transitions between a virtual machine (VM) and Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM). A processor uses state action indicators to load and/or store associated elements of machine state before completing the transition. The state action indicators may be stored in a Virtual Machine Control Structure (VMCS), predetermined, and/or calculated dynamically. In some embodiments, the values loaded can be directly acquired from the VMCS, predetermined and/or calculated dynamically. In some embodiments, the values stored may be acquired directly from machine state, predetermined and/or calculated dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M. Bennett, Gilbert Neiger, Erik C. Cota-Robles, Stalinselvaraj Jeyasingh, Alain Kagi, Michael A. Kozuch, Richard A. Uhlig
  • Method, apparatus and system for improving security in a virtual machine host
    Patent number: 7765544
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for improving security on a virtual machines host is described. A shared file system on the host may include annotations usable by a service module to access files across VMs and to enforce security policies. The service module may additionally enable a unified user interface to improve usability of the host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ernie F. Brickell, Clifford D. Hall, Joseph F. Cihula, Richard A. Uhlig