Patents by Inventor Robin A. Alexander
Robin A. Alexander 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).
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Patent number: 11048436Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Scott Chao-Chueh Lee, Robin A. Alexander, Lee E. Prewitt, Chiuchin Chen, Vladimir Sadovsky
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Patent number: 10416932Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a hard disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. Some data can be stored in one part but not the other, and this data can be synchronized with (e.g., copied to) the other part at various times. The drive access system provides indications to the hybrid drive of when to synchronize data in one part with the other part. These indications are made so that potential interference with use of the device by the user and/or power saving modes of the device due to the synchronization is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Publication number: 20190155547Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Scott Chao-Chueh LEE, Robin A. ALEXANDER, Lee E. PREWITT, Chiuchin CHEN, Vladimir SADOVSKY
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Patent number: 10228881Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Scott Chao-Chueh Lee, Robin A. Alexander, Lee E. Prewitt, Chiuchin Chen, Vladimir Sadovsky
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Patent number: 10223034Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Scott Chau-Chueh Lee, Robin A. Alexander, Lee E. Prewitt, Chiuchin Chen, Vladimir Sadovsky
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Publication number: 20180321881Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Scott Chao-Chueh LEE, Robin A. ALEXANDER, Lee E. PREWITT, Chiuchin CHEN, Vladimir SADOVSKY
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Publication number: 20180321857Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a hard disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. Some data can be stored in one part but not the other, and this data can be synchronized with (e.g., copied to) the other part at various times. The drive access system provides indications to the hybrid drive of when to synchronize data in one part with the other part. These indications are made so that potential interference with use of the device by the user and/or power saving modes of the device due to the synchronization is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Patent number: 9946495Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a hard disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. Some data can be stored in one part but not the other, and this data can be synchronized with (e.g., copied to) the other part at various times. The drive access system provides indications to the hybrid drive of when to synchronize data in one part with the other part. These indications are made so that potential interference with use of the device by the user and/or power saving modes of the device due to the synchronization is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Publication number: 20170131952Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Scott Chao-Chueh Lee, Robin A. Alexander, Lee E. Prewitt, Chiuchin Chen, Vladimir Sadovsky
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Patent number: 9626126Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a magnetic or other rotational disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. The drive access system supports multiple priority levels and obtains priority levels for groups of data identified by logical block addresses (LBAs). The LBAs read while the device is operating in a power saving mode are assigned a priority level that is at least the lowest of the multiple priority levels supported by the device, increasing the likelihood that LBAs read while the device is operating in the power saving mode are stored in the performance part of the hybrid drive.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Patent number: 9552273Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for adapting an I/O pattern, with respect to a processing device using a non-volatile block storage device based on feedback from the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include information indicating a status of the non-volatile block storage device. In response to receiving the feedback, a storage subsystem, included in an operating system executing on processing device, may change a behavior with respect to the non-volatile block storage device in order to avoid, or reduce, a negative impact to the non-volatile block storage device or to enhance an aspect of the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include performance information and/or operating environmental information of the non-volatile block storage device. When the non-volatile block storage device is not capable of providing the feedback, the processing device may request information about the non-volatile block storage device from a database service.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Vladimir Sadovsky, Nathan Steven Obr, James C. Bovee, Robin A. Alexander
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Patent number: 9552176Abstract: Techniques for block storage using a hybrid memory device are described. In at least some embodiments, a hybrid memory device includes a volatile memory portion, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The hybrid memory device further includes non-volatile memory portion, such as flash memory. In at least some embodiments, the hybrid memory device can be embodied as a non-volatile dual in-line memory module, or NVDIMM. Techniques discussed herein employ various functionalities to enable the hybrid memory device to be exposed to various entities as an available block storage device.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Scott Chao-Chueh Lee, Robin A. Alexander, Lee E. Prewitt, Chiuchin Chen, Vladimir Sadovsky
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Publication number: 20160202912Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a magnetic or other rotational disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. The drive access system assigns, based on various available information, a priority level to groups of data identified by logical block addresses (LBAs). With each I/O command, the drive access system includes an indication of the priority level of the LBA(s) associated with the I/O command. The hybrid drive determines, based on the priority level indications received from the drive access system, which LBAs are stored on which part or parts of the hybrid drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Publication number: 20160124831Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for adapting an I/O pattern, with respect to a processing device using a non-volatile block storage device based on feedback from the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include information indicating a status of the non-volatile block storage device. In response to receiving the feedback, a storage subsystem, included in an operating system executing on processing device, may change a behavior with respect to the non-volatile block storage device in order to avoid, or reduce, a negative impact to the non-volatile block storage device or to enhance an aspect of the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include performance information and/or operating environmental information of the non-volatile block storage device. When the non-volatile block storage device is not capable of providing the feedback, the processing device may request information about the non-volatile block storage device from a database service.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Vladimir Sadovsky, Nathan Steven Obr, James C. Bovee, Robin A. Alexander
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Patent number: 9323460Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a magnetic or other rotational disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. The drive access system assigns, based on various available information, a priority level to groups of data identified by logical block addresses (LBAs). With each I/O command, the drive access system includes an indication of the priority level of the LBA(s) associated with the I/O command. The hybrid drive determines, based on the priority level indications received from the drive access system, which LBAs are stored on which part or parts of the hybrid drive.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Patent number: 9286211Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for adapting an I/O pattern, with respect to a processing device using a non-volatile block storage device based on feedback from the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include information indicating a status of the non-volatile block storage device. In response to receiving the feedback, a storage subsystem, included in an operating system executing on processing device, may change a behavior with respect to the non-volatile block storage device in order to avoid, or reduce, a negative impact to the non-volatile block storage device or to enhance an aspect of the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include performance information and/or operating environmental information of the non-volatile block storage device. When the non-volatile block storage device is not capable of providing the feedback, the processing device may request information about the non-volatile block storage device from a database service.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Vladimir Sadovsky, Nathan Steven Obr, James C. Bovee, Robin A. Alexander
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Publication number: 20150193147Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a magnetic or other rotational disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. The drive access system assigns, based on various available information, a priority level to groups of data identified by logical block addresses (LBAs). With each I/O command, the drive access system includes an indication of the priority level of the LBA(s) associated with the I/O command. The hybrid drive determines, based on the priority level indications received from the drive access system, which LBAs are stored on which part or parts of the hybrid drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Patent number: 8990441Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a magnetic or other rotational disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. The drive access system assigns, based on various available information, a priority level to groups of data identified by logical block addresses (LBAs). With each I/O command, the drive access system includes an indication of the priority level of the LBA(s) associated with the I/O command. The hybrid drive determines, based on the priority level indications received from the drive access system, which LBAs are stored on which part or parts of the hybrid drive.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing
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Publication number: 20140359206Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for adapting an I/O pattern, with respect to a processing device using a non-volatile block storage device based on feedback from the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include information indicating a status of the non-volatile block storage device. In response to receiving the feedback, a storage subsystem, included in an operating system executing on processing device, may change a behavior with respect to the non-volatile block storage device in order to avoid, or reduce, a negative impact to the non-volatile block storage device or to enhance an aspect of the non-volatile block storage device. The feedback may include performance information and/or operating environmental information of the non-volatile block storage device. When the non-volatile block storage device is not capable of providing the feedback, the processing device may request information about the non-volatile block storage device from a database service.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Vladimir Sadovsky, Nathan Steven Obr, James C. Bovee, Robin A. Alexander
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Publication number: 20140325169Abstract: A hybrid drive includes multiple parts: a performance part (e.g., a flash memory device) and a base part (e.g., a hard disk drive). A drive access system, which is typically part of an operating system of a computing device, issues input/output (I/O) commands to the hybrid drive to store data to and retrieve data from the hybrid drive. Some data can be stored in one part but not the other, and this data can be synchronized with (e.g., copied to) the other part at various times. The drive access system provides indications to the hybrid drive of when to synchronize data in one part with the other part. These indications are made so that potential interference with use of the device by the user and/or power saving modes of the device due to the synchronization is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Mehmet Iyigun, Yevgeniy M. Bak, Eric M. Bluestein, Robin A. Alexander, Andrew M. Herron, Xiaozhong Xing