Universal Pointers for Direct Data Exchange Across Independent Processors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data exchange methods between heterogeneous computer processors are inefficient and vulnerable to security threats due to reliance on multiple software layers and file-based access mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing universal pointers using object-based virtual memory addresses that can be translated into physical addresses across processors with different Instruction Set Architectures, enabling direct memory access without relying on file systems or URLs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If file-based data exchange methods are used between heterogeneous processors, then data can be exchanged across different systems, but the system complexity increases due to multiple software layers and the exchange efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the file system layer from the data exchange path. Instead of using traditional file-based access with multiple software layers (file system, operating system, application layer), the invention directly accesses memory locations across processors through universal pointers, removing unnecessary intermediate layers while maintaining cross-system compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal pointers that can function across different processor architectures and operating systems. These pointers use a standardized format that can be translated by any processor in the system, providing a universal interface for memory access that works heterogeneously across different platforms without requiring architecture-specific implementations
2Adaptability or versatility
If file-based access mechanisms are used for data exchange, then data sharing between processors is enabled, but the processing speed decreases due to multiple translation and access layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the file system and multiple software translation layers from the data access path. By using universal pointers that directly reference memory locations, the system eliminates the need for file opening, path resolution, and multiple software layer translations, enabling direct memory access between processors at hardware-level speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory management unit as an intermediary that translates universal pointers to local physical addresses. This mediator operates at the hardware level rather than through multiple software layers, providing efficient address translation that maintains high access speed while enabling cross-processor memory access
3Productivity
If traditional pointer formats are used in each processor, then memory access within each processor is efficient, but data exchange between processors with different architectures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal pointer format that can represent memory locations across different processor architectures. Each processor's memory management unit translates this universal format to its native address space, allowing the same pointer to efficiently access memory on any processor in the system without requiring architecture-specific pointer formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pointer representation from architecture-specific physical addresses to a universal virtual address format. This parameter change allows pointers to be transmitted between processors with different architectures, with each processor's memory management unit translating the universal format to its native address space, maintaining efficiency while enabling cross-architecture compatibility
4Adaptability or versatility
If file-based data exchange is used, then data can be shared between systems, but security vulnerabilities increase due to multiple software layers and attack surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the file system and operating system layers from the data exchange path. By enabling direct memory access through universal pointers, the system eliminates numerous security vulnerabilities associated with file permissions, path traversal, and software buffer overflows that exist in traditional file-based access mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements hardware-level memory management units that automatically handle address translation and memory protection. This self-service mechanism at the hardware level eliminates the need for software-based security checks and file access controls, providing inherent memory protection and reducing the attack surface while maintaining inter-system data access capability
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus to facilitate data exchange via pointers. For example, in a computing system having a first processor and a second processor that is separate and independent from the first processor, the first processor can run a program configured to use a pointer identifying a virtual memory address having an ID of an object and an offset within the object. The first processor can use the virtual memory address to store data at a memory location in the computing system and/or identify a routine at the memory location for execution by the second processor. After the pointer is communicated from the first processor to the second processor, the second processor can access the same memory location identified by the virtual memory address. The second processor may operate on the data stored at the memory location or load the routine from the memory location for execution.