METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING UNUSED BITS IN A MEMORY POINTER
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for using unused bits in a memory pointer, comprising:
- determining a set of address bits in an address space that are not needed for addressing during program operation;
storing data associated with the memory pointer in the set of address bits, wherein the stored data comprises data associated with an object that the memory pointer points to; and
masking the set of address bits when using the memory pointer to access a memory address;
wherein accessing the stored data from the set of address bits facilitates reducing the number of memory accesses needed to access object data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses unused bits in a memory pointer. During operation, the system determines a set of address bits in a address space that will not be needed for addressing purposes during program operation. Subsequently, the system stores data associated with the memory pointer in this set of address bits. The system masks this set of address bits when using the memory pointer to access the memory address associated with the memory pointer. Storing additional data in unused pointer bits can reduce the number of memory accesses for a program and improve program performance and/or reliability.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for using unused bits in a memory pointer, comprising:
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determining a set of address bits in an address space that are not needed for addressing during program operation; storing data associated with the memory pointer in the set of address bits, wherein the stored data comprises data associated with an object that the memory pointer points to; and masking the set of address bits when using the memory pointer to access a memory address; wherein accessing the stored data from the set of address bits facilitates reducing the number of memory accesses needed to access object data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for using unused bits in a memory pointer, the method comprising:
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determining a set of address bits in an address space that are not needed for addressing during program operation; storing data associated with the memory pointer in the set of address bits, wherein the stored data comprises data associated with an object that the memory pointer points to; and masking the set of address bits when using the memory pointer to access a memory address; wherein accessing the stored data from the set of address bits facilitates reducing the number of memory accesses needed to access object data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computing device configured to use unused bits in a memory pointer, comprising:
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a processor; a memory; a determining mechanism configured to determine a set of address bits in an address space that are not needed for addressing during program operation; a storage mechanism configured to store data associated with the memory pointer in the set of address bits, wherein the stored data comprises data associated with an object that the memory pointer points to; and a masking mechanism configured to mask the set of address bits when using the memory pointer to access an address in the memory; wherein accessing the stored data from the set of address bits facilitates reducing the number of memory accesses needed to access object data. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification