Patents by Inventor Robert A. Alfieri

Robert A. Alfieri 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: 7630389
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating synthesizable code representing first-in first-out (FIFO) memories may be used to produce FIFO memories for multi-threaded processing. A single FIFO memory is shared between the threads to conserve die area, however each thread may be executed independently, as if each thread has a dedicated FIFO memory. A synthesizable code generator produces synthesizable code for a sender interface, storage, receiver interface, and other features that are specified by a programmer. The other features may reduce power consumption or improve timing. The code generator is used to efficiently produce different variations of FIFO memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Marcio T. Oliveira
  • Patent number: 7620738
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Hicok, Robert A. Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7496788
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the accuracy of unit status reporting within an application specific integrated circuit device may be used reduce power consumption. Accurate status reporting of an idle state is needed to safely disable a clock signal for a unit in order to reduce the power needed by that unit. A watchdog monitor may be used during functional simulation and synthesized for formal verification, emulation, and functional device testing and debugging. The watchdog monitor may also be configured based on specific characteristics of the unit that it is monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Robert J. Hasslen
  • Patent number: 7483823
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and generating integrated circuits using a high-level language are described. The high-level language is used to generate performance models, functional models, synthesizable register transfer level code defining the integrated circuit, and verification environments. The high-level language may be used to generate templates for custom computation logical units for specific user-determined functionality. The high-level language and compiler permit optimizations for power savings and custom circuit layout, resulting in integrated circuits with improved performance per watt of power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20080279188
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris
  • Patent number: 7437548
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for network level protocol negotiation for Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) and Internet Protocol Payload Compression (IPComp) are described. More particularly, IPSec and IPComp capabilities are instantiated in a network processor unit of a network interface in at least two communicating computers. By determining each computer has the capacity to due IPSec and IPComp at the transport level, such is negotiated and executed at the transport level independently of an operating system and a central processing unit usage. Additionally, encryption and/or compression are done at the network level operating system and central processing unit offloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7397797
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris
  • Patent number: 7383352
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Gary D. Hicok, Robert A. Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20080104271
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Gary D. Hicok, Robert A. Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7363610
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and generating integrated circuits using a high-level language are described. The high-level language is used to generate performance models, functional models, synthesizable register transfer level code defining the integrated circuit, and verification environments. The high-level language may be used to generate templates for custom computation logical units for specific user-determined functionality. The high-level language and compiler permit optimizations for power savings and custom circuit layout, resulting in integrated circuits with improved performance per watt of power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7362772
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris
  • Patent number: 7360213
    Abstract: Described is an enhanced application of a fast kernel trap, or kernel function call, in combination with a kernel system call providing a system of handling complications during kernel thread operations. In the event of a complication during kernel function call processing, the kernel function call promotes to a system call. If the kernel function call holds a spin lock at the time of promotion, the spin lock is released. Kernel function call processing is divided into phases and a phase identifier is provided to the system call. To avoid repeating processing steps already performed by the kernel function call, system call processing begins at the phase where the complication occurred. When the system call processing reaches a suspend phase, the system call will demote to a kernel function call and release its kernel stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20080071926
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Hicok, Robert Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7324547
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris
  • Patent number: 7188250
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris
  • Publication number: 20070005321
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and generating integrated circuits using a high-level language are described. The high-level language is used to generate performance models, functional models, synthesizable register transfer level code defining the integrated circuit, and verification environments. The high-level language may be used to generate templates for custom computation logical units for specific user-determined functionality. The high-level language and compiler permit optimizations for power savings and custom circuit layout, resulting in integrated circuits with improved performance per watt of power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Alfieri
  • Publication number: 20070005329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for designing and generating integrated circuits using a high-level language are described. The high-level language is used to generate performance models, functional models, synthesizable register transfer level code defining the integrated circuit, and verification environments. The high-level language may be used to generate templates for custom computation logical units for specific user-determined functionality. The high-level language and compiler permit optimizations for power savings and custom circuit layout, resulting in integrated circuits with improved performance per watt of power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Alfieri
  • Patent number: 7120653
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. In one embodiment, file handling functions are now integrated into a storage processing unit (SPU) that can also be deployed on the same chipset, where the SPU serves as an overall file and disk management processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Radoslav Danilak
  • Patent number: 6920484
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. In one embodiment, functions previously performed by a complex disk controller are now integrated into a storage processing unit (SPU) that can also be deployed on the same chipset, where the SPU serves as an overall file and disk management processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Radoslav Danilak
  • Publication number: 20040114589
    Abstract: A novel network architecture that integrates the functions of an internet protocol (IP) router into a network processing unit (NPU) that resides in a host computer's chipset such that the host computer's resources are perceived as separate network appliances. The NPU appears logically separate from the host computer even though, in one embodiment, it is sharing the same chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Alfieri, Gary D. Hicok, Paul J. Sidenblad, Mark A. Parris