Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Millard

Thomas A. Millard 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: 7680769
    Abstract: A searchable information database is provided. At least one network processor having one or more packet processors is provided which are programmed to independently search for a match of any one of the keys in a key set which is delivered to the network processor(s). Each key set is independently identifiable and searchable. If a match is found, then either a function associated therewith or a pointer to the location of the information in the database is returned. Several searching techniques can be used. For example, multiple network processors can be used, with each storing the keys of a different set of keys, and each set of keys can be searched concomitantly in the network processors. Alternatively, a large lookup table may distribute multiple network processors. If a single network processor is used, the key sets can be pipeline searched, or pico processors or packet processors can independently search each key set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Millard, Francis E. Noel, Jr., Norman C. Strole
  • Patent number: 7548753
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for tracking mobile devices combining packet processing technology with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A central network system comprising a packet processing subsystem receives transmitted GPS location data from a mobile device transmitting GPS location data, wherein the packet processing subsystem uses a table access scheme to process the GPS location data and produce responsive mapping data, and the central network processing system compares the mapping data to a map and identifies a corresponding map location. Embodiments may also correlate device identification data, tracking table entries, and/or billing zone charges. In some embodiments a look-up key is built responsive to the GPS location data and used to identify map locations. The table access scheme may be a key hashing scheme and, in particular, a longest prefix match type scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Millard, Charles J. Sannipoli, Norman C. Strole
  • Patent number: 7472293
    Abstract: A programmable state machine is incorporated into the core of a network processor (NP) to monitor the utilization of different processing elements in the NP and to control the power state of each element as a function of past and predicted utilization. The state machine can be used to control a centralized power management control unit or to control a distributed power management unit where each processing element includes its own state machine. The function of the power management state machine can be implemented in any combination of software and/or hardwired logic, depending on the system design requirements. The monitoring and control are implemented through the use of a power management state change algorithm. The determination of the power state of a processing element accommodates interdependencies between the elements. It also makes adjustments in gain factors in response to actual performance and utilization of the network processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Kuhlmann, Thomas A. Millard, Norman C. Strole
  • Publication number: 20080311928
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for tracking mobile devices combining packet processing technology with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A central network system comprising a packet processing subsystem receives transmitted GPS location data from a mobile device transmitting GPS location data, wherein the packet processing subsystem uses a table access scheme to process the GPS location data and produce responsive mapping data, and the central network processing system compares the mapping data to a map and identifies a corresponding map location. Embodiments may also correlate device identification data, tracking table entries, and/or billing zone charges. In some embodiments a look-up key is built responsive to the GPS location data and used to identify map locations. The table access scheme may be a key hashing scheme and, in particular, a longest prefix match type scheme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Millard, Charles J. Sannipoli, Norman C. Strole
  • Patent number: 7460872
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for tracking mobile devices combining packet processing technology with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. A central network system comprising a packet processing subsystem receives transmitted GPS location data from a mobile device transmitting GPS location data, wherein the packet processing subsystem uses a table access scheme to process the GPS location data and produce responsive mapping data, and the central network processing system compares the mapping data to a map and identifies a corresponding map location. Embodiments may also correlate device identification data, tracking table entries, and/or billing zone charges. In some embodiments a look-up key is built responsive to the GPS location data and used to identify map locations. The table access scheme may be a key hashing scheme and, in particular, a longest prefix match type scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Millard, Charles J. Sannipoli, Norman C. Strole
  • Patent number: 7337334
    Abstract: A programmable state machine is incorporated into the core of a network processor (NP) to monitor the utilization of different processing elements in the NP and to control the power state of each element as a function of past and predicted utilization. The state machine can be used to control a centralized power management control unit or to control a distributed power management unit where each processing element includes its own state machine. The function of the power management state machine can be implemented in any combination of software and/or hardwired logic, depending on the system design requirements. The monitoring and control are implemented through the use of a power management state change algorithm. The determination of the power state of a processing element accommodates interdependencies between the elements. It also makes adjustments in gain factors in response to actual performance and utilization of the network processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Kuhlmann, Thomas A. Millard, Norman C. Strole
  • Publication number: 20040163000
    Abstract: A programmable state machine is incorporated into the core of a network processor (NP) to monitor the utilization of different processing elements in the NP and to control the power state of each element as a function of past and predicted utilization. The state machine can be used to control a centralized power management control unit or to control a distributed power management unit where each processing element includes its own state machine. The function of the power management state machine can be implemented in any combination of software and/or hardwired logic, depending on the system design requirements. The monitoring and control are implemented through the use of a power management state change algorithm. The determination of the power state of a processing element accommodates interdependencies between the elements. It also makes adjustments in gain factors in response to actual performance and utilization of the network processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Kuhlmann, Thomas A. Millard, Norman C. Strole
  • Publication number: 20040139062
    Abstract: A searchable information database is provided. At least one network processor having one or more packet processors is provided which are programmed to independently search for a match of any one of the keys in a key set which is delivered to the network processor(s). Each key set is independently identifiable and searchable. If a match is found, then either a function associated therewith or a pointer to the location of the information in the database is returned. Several searching techniques can be used. For example, multiple network processors can be used, with each storing the keys of a different set of keys, and each set of keys can be searched concomitantly in the network processors. Alternatively, a large lookup table may distribute multiple network processors. If a single network processor is used, the key sets can be pipeline searched, or pico processors or packet processors can independently search each key set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Millard, Francis E. Noel, Norman C. Strole