Patents by Inventor Robert Maher

Robert Maher 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).

  • Publication number: 20080098248
    Abstract: A pipelined computer system with power management control in accordance with one or both of a power management signal and a power management instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul Garibay, Margaret Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20060227758
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that allow the creation of virtual routing domains in an IP network. These virtual routing domains allow individual networks to be configures so that it appears that its routing domain covers the entire IP address space. A network processing system is used to implement the virtual routing domains and to allow network traffic to cross the individual routing domains. The network processing system is able to use application layer information to allow the crossing of virtual routing domain boundaries. By examining application layer information the network processing system is able to look up customer/user information and use that information to determine destination virtual routing domains and route otherwise unroutable addresses between domains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Ashwin Rana, Milton Lie, Robert Walls, Robert Maher
  • Patent number: 7120810
    Abstract: An instruction-initiated power management method for a pipelined data processor by which a clock signal to pipeline subcircuitry is selectively disabled in response to an instruction executed by the pipeline subcircuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20060200344
    Abstract: A method of reducing noise in an audio signal, comprising the steps of: using a furrow filter to select spectral components that are narrow in frequency but relatively broad in time; using a bar filter to select spectral components that are broad in frequency but relatively narrow in time; analyzing the relative energy distribution between the output of the furrow and bar filters to determine the optimal proportion of spectral components for the output signal; and reconstructing the audio signal to generate the output signal. A second pair of time-frequency filters may be used to further improve intelligibility of the output signal. The temporal relationship between the furrow filter output and the bar filter output may be monitored so that the fricative components are allowed primarily at boundaries between intervals with no voiced signal present and intervals with voice components. A noise reduction system for an audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Daniel Kosek, Robert Maher
  • Patent number: 7062666
    Abstract: A signal-initiated method for suspending operation of a pipelined data processor by selectively disabling a clock signal to pipeline subcircuitry in response to at least one control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20060085548
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for traversing a network address translation/firewall device to maintain a registration between first and second devices separated by the firewall device are provided. In one example, the method includes intercepting a registration message from the first device to the second device. A determination is made based on a first timeout period defined by the second device as to whether it is time to renew the first device's registration. If it is time to renew the first device's registration, the registration message is forwarded to the second device. A response message that includes the first timeout period is intercepted, and the first timeout period is replaced with a second timeout period based on a binding lifetime of the firewall device before forwarding the response message to the first device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Netrake Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Aswinkumar Rana, Milton Lie, James Deerman
  • Patent number: 7000132
    Abstract: A signal-initiated power management method for a pipelined data processor by which a clock signal to pipeline subcircuitry is selectively disabled in response to at least one control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20060013211
    Abstract: A method and system are described for resolving problems created by implementing multiple networks using private IP addresses and layer two tunneling protocols is described. A network processing system is operable to map flows from private IP addresses and ports on layer two tunneling protocol networks to public IP addresses and ports using the private IP addresses and ports and identifiers for the layer two tunneling protocol network. The network processing system uses its own public IP addresses and ports to anchor the traffic from the private network and performs the required mapping to pass traffic between the public and private networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: James Deerman, Milton Lie, Aswinkumar Rana, Robert Maher
  • Patent number: 6978390
    Abstract: A pipelined data processor with instruction-initiated power management control in which a plurality of subcircuits, including pipeline subcircuitry and circuitry for generating and controlling at least one clock signal are responsive to an instruction executed by the pipeline subcircuitry by selectively disabling a clock signal to the pipeline subcircuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Patent number: 6910141
    Abstract: A pipelined data processor with signal-initiated power management control in which a plurality of subcircuits, including pipeline subcircuitry, and circuitry for generating and controlling at least one clock signal are responsive to at least one control signal by disabling a clock signal to the pipeline subcircuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20050036261
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul Garibay, Margaret Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20050024802
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul Garibay, Margaret Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20040230852
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20040172567
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20040172568
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Publication number: 20040172572
    Abstract: A processing unit includes a plurality of subcircuits and circuitry for generating clock signals thereto. Detection circuitry detects the assertion of a control signal and disabling circuitry is operable to disable the clock signals to one or more of the subcircuits responsive to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Patent number: 6721894
    Abstract: In accordance with the presently claimed invention, power consumption reduction control is provided to a processor used to execute instructions for data processing. A power management control signal is provided to the processor in accordance with conditions associated with the processor being operated in normal and reduced power consumption modes of operation, and an acknowledgement signal indicative of such reduced power consumption mode of operation is returned in correspondence with the power management control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Patent number: 6694443
    Abstract: Power consumption reduction control circuitry external and coupled to a processor used to execute instructions for data processing. A power management control signal is provided to the processor in accordance with conditions associated with the processor being operated in normal and reduced power consumption modes of operation, and an acknowledgement signal indicative of such reduced power consumption mode of operation is returned in correspondence with the power management control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Patent number: 6343363
    Abstract: A technique for invoking a low power operational mode in response to a halt instruction is used in a computer system that includes a processor coupled to external logic. The processor includes at least (i) a pipeline subcircuit to execute programmed instructions, including halt instructions, (ii) an interrupt handling subcircuit to handle interrupts generated by external interrupt logic, and (iii) clock generator circuitry that supplies clock signals to the pipeline and interrupt handling subcircuits. In response to execution of a halt instruction, the processor (i) enters the low power operational mode in which power consumption is reduced at least for the pipeline subcircuit, but without stopping the supply of clock signals to the interrupt handling subcircuit, and (ii) generates an acknowledgement signal to the external logic indicating that the clock signals to the pipeline subcircuit are being stopped, thereby entering the low power operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm
  • Patent number: 6088807
    Abstract: A technique for invoking a low power operational mode in response to a halt instruction is used in a computer system that includes a processor coupled to external logic. The processor includes at least (i) a pipeline subcircuit to execute programmed instructions, including halt instructions, (ii) an interrupt handling subcircuit to handle interrupts generated by external interrupt logic, and (iii) clock generator circuitry that supplies clock signals to the pipeline and interrupt handling subcircuits. In response to execution of a halt instruction, the processor (i) stops the clock generator circuitry from supplying clock signals to the pipeline subcircuit, but not to the interrupt handling subcircuit, and (ii) generates an acknowledgement signal to the external logic indicating that the clock signals to the pipeline subcircuit are being stopped, thereby entering the low power operational mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Maher, Raul A. Garibay, Jr., Margaret R. Herubin, Mark Bluhm