Patents by Inventor Sandra S. Woodward

Sandra S. Woodward 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: 7577794
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the amount of latency involved when accessing, by a remote device, data residing in a cache of a processor are provided. For some embodiments, virtual channels may be utilized to conduct request/response transactions between the remote device and processor that satisfy a set of associated coherency rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce L. Beukema, Russell D. Hoover, Jon K. Kriegel, Eric O. Mejdrich, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20090077320
    Abstract: Apparatus and system for quickly accessing data residing in a cache of one processor, by another processor, while avoiding lengthy accesses to main memory are provided. A portion of the cache may be placed in a lock set mode by the processor in which it resides. While in the lock set mode, this portion of the cache may be accessed directly by another processor without lengthy “backing” writes of the accessed data to main memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Russell D. Hoover, Eric O. Mejdrich, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7475190
    Abstract: Methods for quickly accessing data residing in a cache of one processor, by another processor, while avoiding lengthy accesses to main memory are provided. A portion of the cache may be placed in a lock set mode by the processor in which it resides. While in the lock set mode, this portion of the cache may be accessed directly by another processor without lengthy “backing” writes of the accessed data to main memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell D. Hoover, Eric O. Mejdrich, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7355601
    Abstract: A CPU module includes a host element configured to perform a high-level host-related task, and one or more data-generating processing elements configured to perform a data-generating task associated with the high-level host-related task. Each data-generating processing element includes logic configured to receive input data, and logic configured to process the input data to produce output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Andrews, Nicholas R. Baker, J. Andrew Goossen, Russell D. Hoover, Eric O. Mejdrich, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 7305524
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus that may be utilized to maintain coherency of data accessed by both a processor and a remote device are provided. Various mechanisms, such as a remote cache directory, castout buffer, and/or outstanding transaction buffer may be utilized by the remote device to track the state of processor cache lines that may hold data targeted by requests initiated by the remote device. Based on the content of these mechanisms, requests targeting data that is not in the processor cache may be routed directly to memory, thus reducing overall latency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Russell D. Hoover, Eric O. Mejdrich, Jon K. Kriegel, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 6791352
    Abstract: In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to multiplex debug signals of an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes at least a first multiplexing circuit and a second multiplexing circuit. The first multiplexing circuit is adapted to receive first debug signals from the integrated circuit and to selectively multiplex at least a first portion of the first debug signals onto a first bus. The second multiplexing circuit is adapted to receive second debug signals from the integrated circuit and to selectively multiplex at least a first portion of the second debug signals onto a second bus. The apparatus further includes a logic circuit adapted to combine any debug signals of the first and second buses onto a third bus. An output stage of the apparatus is adapted to selectively output debug signals of the third bus. Numerous other aspects are provided, as are systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Joel Verdoorn, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Publication number: 20030155944
    Abstract: In a first aspect, an apparatus is provided that is adapted to multiplex debug signals of an integrated circuit. The apparatus includes at least a first multiplexing circuit and a second multiplexing circuit. The first multiplexing circuit is adapted to receive first debug signals from the integrated circuit and to selectively multiplex at least a first portion of the first debug signals onto a first bus. The second multiplexing circuit is adapted to receive second debug signals from the integrated circuit and to selectively multiplex at least a first portion of the second debug signals onto a second bus. The apparatus further includes a logic circuit adapted to combine any debug signals of the first and second buses onto a third bus. An output stage of the apparatus is adapted to selectively output debug signals of the third bus. Numerous other aspects are provided, as are systems and methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Joel Verdoorn, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 6134699
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting virtual address parity error for a translation lookaside buffer in a computer system. The computer system includes a processor unit, a cache coupled to the processor unit, a main memory, and a storage control unit including a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) and a segment lookaside buffer (SLB). A virtual address parity (VAP) is generated for each entry written in the segment lookaside buffer (SLB). A virtual address parity (VAP) is generated for each virtual address entry written in the translation lookaside buffer (TLB). The SLB virtual address parity (VAP) and the TLB virtual address parity (VAP) are utilized for identifying a translation miss condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Anthony Steenburgh, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 6044447
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for communicating translation command information in a multithreaded environment in a computer system. The computer system includes a processor unit, an instruction unit coupled to the processor unit, a cache coupled to the processor unit, a main memory, and a storage control unit including a dataflow control partition, a cache control partition, a translation control partition. A translation miss signal is sent from the dataflow control partition to the translation control partition, responsive to detecting a translation miss condition. A translation command next signal is sent from the translation control partition to the cache control partition responsive to the translation miss signal. Then a translation command signal is sent from the translation control partition to the cache control partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Arlyn Averill, John Michael Borkenhagen, James Anthony Steenburgh, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4961140
    Abstract: An input/output bus for a data processing system which has extended addressing capabilities and a variable length handshake which accommodates the difference delays associated with various sets of logic and a two part address field which allows a bus unit and channel to be identified. The various units can disconnect from the bus during internal processing to free the bus for other activity. The unit removes the busy signal prior to dropping the data lines to allow a bus arbitration sequence to occur without slowing down the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald G. Pechanek, David J. Shippy, Mark C. Snedaker, Sandra S. Woodward
  • Patent number: 4943984
    Abstract: A synchronous parallel data bus particularly adapted for use in a data processing system where it is necessary to transfer data over long distances. The physical connection between communicating units includes a plurality of wires adapted to carry the parallel data signal and a wire which carries a clock signal to the remote unit. When data is transmitted from the remote unit to the base unit, the clock signal which originated at the base unit and was transmitted to the remote unit is "turned around" and transmitted back to the base unit for use in receiving the data from the remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald G. Pechanek, David J. Shippy, Mark C. Snedaker, Sandra S. Woodward