Apple patents processor check to stop memory errors
Apple has secured a patent for a processor instruction that calculates memory addresses for data arrays. The system performs a multiplication to find the correct location and automatically blocks the operation if the math results in an overflow error.
In the filing’s own words
An apparatus includes a processor circuit with an execution pipeline circuit configured to execute instructions within an instruction stream, including a first instance of an instruction executable to compute an address to access a data array. The first instance of the instruction may specify a set of operands that includes a pointer to a base address of the data array, an index into the data array, and a size of data elements within the data array. In response to receiving the first instance of the instruction, the execution pipeline circuit may be configured to perform an arithmetic operation that includes a multiplication of the index and the size to generate a result for the address. In response to the arithmetic operation generating an overflow condition, the execution pipeline circuit may be further configured to cause a first corrective action that prevents access to the data array.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An apparatus, comprising: a processor circuit that includes an execution pipeline circuit configured to execute instructions within an instruction stream, including a first instance of an instruction executable to compute an address to access a data array in a computer memory, the first instance of the instruction specifying a set of operands that includes a pointer value to a base address of the data array, a first scalar value that corresponds to an index into the data array, and a second scalar value that corresponds to a size of data elements within the data array, wherein, in response to receiving the first instance of the instruction, the execution pipeline circuit is configured to: perform an arithmetic operation that includes a multiplication of the index and the size to generate a multiplication result for the address; and in response to the arithmetic operation generating an overflow condition, cause a first corrective action that prevents completion of a subsequent instruction that identifies the multiplication result as an operand.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Processor instruction for secure pointer arithmetic
- Patent number
- US12730887B2
- Application number
- 18797377
- Filed
- Aug 7, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 21/554 Physics & computingG06F 9/3001 Physics & computingG06F 2221/034 Physics & computingMore from Apple in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.