Patents by Inventor Steven J. Hnatko

Steven J. Hnatko 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: 11182165
    Abstract: A system includes a branch predictor and a processing circuit configured to perform a plurality of operations including storing a skip-over offset value in the branch predictor. The skip-over offset value defines a number of search addresses of the branch predictor to be skipped. The operations further include searching the branch predictor for a branch prediction. Responsive to finding the branch prediction, the searching of the branch predictor is re-indexed based on the skip-over offset value associated with the branch prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Bonanno, Daniel Lipetz, Brian Robert Prasky, Anthony Saporito, Adam Collura, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 10990405
    Abstract: A computer system includes a branch detection module and a branch predictor module. The branch detection module determines that a first program branch is a possible call branch having a next sequential instruction address (NSIA), and determines that a first routine branch is a possible return capable branch having the first routine instruction address that is a detected as being offset. The branch predictor module determines that a second program branch is a possible call branch having a next sequential instruction address (NSIA), and determines that a second routine branch is a predicted return branch having a predicted target instruction address based on the NSIA of the second program branch and the predicted offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Collura, James Bonanno, Steven J. Hnatko, Brian Robert Prasky, Daniel Lipetz
  • Publication number: 20200264887
    Abstract: A computer system includes a branch detection module and a branch predictor module. The branch detection module determines that a first program branch is a possible call branch having a next sequential instruction address (NSIA), and determines that a first routine branch is a possible return capable branch having the first routine instruction address that is a detected as being offset. The branch predictor module determines that a second program branch is a possible call branch having a next sequential instruction address (NSIA), and determines that a second routine branch is a predicted return branch having a predicted target instruction address based on the NSIA of the second program branch and the predicted offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Adam Collura, James Bonanno, Steven J. Hnatko, Brian Robert Prasky, Daniel Lipetz
  • Publication number: 20200159537
    Abstract: A system includes a branch predictor and a processing circuit configured to perform a plurality of operations including storing a skip-over offset value in the branch predictor. The skip-over offset value defines a number of search addresses of the branch predictor to be skipped. The operations further include searching the branch predictor for a branch prediction. Responsive to finding the branch prediction, the searching of the branch predictor is re-indexed based on the skip-over offset value associated with the branch prediction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: James Bonanno, Daniel Lipetz, Brian Robert Prasky, Anthony Saporito, Adam Collura, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 10585858
    Abstract: Log synchronization among discrete devices in a computer system includes, periodically at a predefined interval: sending, by a host to each of a plurality of discrete devices in the computer system, a synchronization tag, wherein each of the discrete devices, responsive to receiving the synchronization tag from the host, is configured to record the synchronization tag in a log entry; and recording, by the host, the synchronization tag in a log entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 10223372
    Abstract: Log synchronization among discrete devices in a computer system includes, periodically at a predefined interval: sending, by a host to each of a plurality of discrete devices in the computer system, a synchronization tag, wherein each of the discrete devices, responsive to receiving the synchronization tag from the host, is configured to record the synchronization tag in a log entry; and recording, by the host, the synchronization tag in a log entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 9934865
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PM), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 9934863
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PRI), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Publication number: 20170212908
    Abstract: Log synchronization among discrete devices in a computer system includes, periodically at a predefined interval: sending, by a host to each of a plurality of discrete devices in the computer system, a synchronization tag, wherein each of the discrete devices, responsive to receiving the synchronization tag from the host, is configured to record the synchronization tag in a log entry; and recording, by the host, the synchronization tag in a log entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: THOMAS J. GRIFFIN, STEVEN J. HNATKO
  • Publication number: 20170212946
    Abstract: Log synchronization among discrete devices in a computer system includes, periodically at a predefined interval: sending, by a host to each of a plurality of discrete devices in the computer system, a synchronization tag, wherein each of the discrete devices, responsive to receiving the synchronization tag from the host, is configured to record the synchronization tag in a log entry; and recording, by the host, the synchronization tag in a log entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: THOMAS J. GRIFFIN, STEVEN J. HNATKO
  • Patent number: 9691488
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PRI), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Publication number: 20170169890
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PM), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Publication number: 20170169893
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PRI), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Publication number: 20170169891
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PRI), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Publication number: 20170169894
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PM), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 9659664
    Abstract: A NAND flash memory device detects the occurrence of Cell Voltage Distribution Disruption Events (CVDDEs), such as a Partial Block Program (PBP) and Program-Read-Immediate (PM), and provides a way to dynamically adjust read voltage to account for CVDDEs. A read command includes extended addressing bits that are used when a CVDDE has occurred to access registers that indicate an adjustment to read voltage that is needed to accommodate the CVDDE. The read voltage is then dynamically adjusted to accommodate the CVDDE. When the CVDDE is no longer an issue, the read voltage is adjusted to its previous value before the CVDDE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Griffin, Steven J. Hnatko
  • Patent number: 8874808
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling data entries in a hierarchical buffer system. The system includes an integrated circuit device with a memory core, a high speed upstream data bus, and a plurality of 1st tier buffers that receive data from the memory. The system further includes a 2nd tier transfer buffer spanning a plurality of asynchronous timing domains that delivers the data onto the upstream data bus to minimize gaps in a data transfer. The method includes managing the buffers to allow data to flow from a plurality of 1st tier buffers through a 2nd tier transfer buffer, and delivering the data onto a high speed data bus with pre-determined timing in a manner which minimizes latency to the extent that the returning read data beats are always transmitted contiguously with no intervening gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Hnatko, Gary A. Van Huben
  • Patent number: 8775904
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for efficient storage of meta-bits within a system memory. The mechanisms combine an L/G bit and an SUE bit to form meta-bits. The mechanisms then determine the local/global state of a cache line on the first cycle of data. The mechanisms forward the data to the requesting cache, and the requesting cache may reissue the request globally based on the local/global state of the cache line. The mechanisms then determine the special uncorrectable error state of the cache line on the second or subsequent cycle of data. The mechanisms perform error processing regardless of whether the request was reissued globally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dodson, Benjiman L. Goodman, Steven J. Hnatko, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 8775906
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for efficient storage of meta-bits within a system memory. The mechanisms combine an L/G bit and an SUE bit to form meta-bits. The mechanisms then determine the local/global state of a cache line on the first cycle of data. The mechanisms forward the data to the requesting cache, and the requesting cache may reissue the request globally based on the local/global state of the cache line. The mechanisms then determine the special uncorrectable error state of the cache line on the second or subsequent cycle of data. The mechanisms perform error processing regardless of whether the request was reissued globally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Dodson, Benjiman L. Goodman, Steven J. Hnatko, Kenneth L. Wright
  • Patent number: 8635390
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for controlling data entries in a hierarchical buffer system. The system includes an integrated circuit device comprising: a memory core, a shared data bus, and a plurality of 1st tier buffers that receive data from the memory. The system further includes a 2nd tier transfer buffer that delivers the data onto the shared data bus with pre-determined timing. The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for controlling moving data entries in a hierarchical buffer system. The method includes managing the buffers to allow data to flow from a plurality of 1st tier buffers through a 2nd tier transfer buffer, and delivering the data onto a shared data bus with pre-determined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J Hnatko, Gary A Van Huben