Patents Represented by Attorney Kunzler Law Group, PC
  • Patent number: 8316900
    Abstract: Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Flomax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hemingway
  • Patent number: 8321379
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are presented for scaling storage media to improve data access performance. A scaling module is provided and configured to receive a dataset, identify storage characteristics of the dataset, make a determination based upon user-defined storage criteria, and select a storage instruction. In one embodiment, the storage instruction is configured to scale the storage medium to a predefined capacity. The predefined capacity of the storage medium is configured to optimize data access performance. Alternatively, the storage instruction is configured to not scale the storage medium. Additionally, the present invention may be configured to map and track the storage medium while the dataset is being written to or read from the storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean R. Chang, Kirby Grant Dahman, Erika Marianna Dawson, Stanley Mark Kissinger, Gavin Stuart Johnson, Jon Arthur Lynds, Michael Ray Noel, Linda Jean Schiltz
  • Patent number: 8316277
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for ensuring data validity in a data storage process. A data receiver module receives a storage block and existing parity information. An ECC generation module generates error correcting code (“ECC”) check bits for the data of the storage block in response to receiving the storage block and the existing parity information. The ECC check bits for the storage block are generated using a block code, a convolutional code, etc. A pre-storage consistency module uses the data of the storage block, the existing parity information, and the ECC check bits to determine if the data of the storage block, the existing parity information, and the ECC check bits are consistent. A data storage module stores the data of the storage block and the ECC check bits the data storage device without storing the existing parity information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fusion-IO, Inc.
    Inventors: David Flynn, Jonathan Thatcher, John Strasser
  • Patent number: 8315092
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining a read voltage threshold for solid-state storage media. A data set read module reads a data set from storage cells of solid-state storage media. The data set is originally stored in the storage cells with a known bias. A deviation module determines that a read bias for the data set deviates from the known bias. A direction module determines a direction of deviation for the data set. The direction of deviation is based on a difference between the read bias of the data set and the known bias. An adjustment module adjusts a read voltage threshold for the storage cells of the solid-state storage media based on the direction of deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fusion-IO, Inc.
    Inventors: John Strasser, David Flynn, Jeremy Fillingim, Robert Wood
  • Patent number: 8312210
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for storing and retrieving compressed data. A compression module compresses a data file organized in logical tracks. A ratio module determines a track compression ratio. The track compression ratio is a ratio of an integer value n to one. A destage module destages a single directory entry for the data file to a directory. The directory entry points to a zeroth track on a hard disk drive. The destage module further destages the data file sequentially to tracks of the hard disk drive from the zeroth track with n logical tracks of the data file stored on one physical track of the hard disk drive. A stage module stages a kth logical track from a physical track of the hard disk drive. The physical track is specified by an integer value of k divided by n.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Benhase, Susan Kay Candelaria, Yu-Cheng Hsu, Minh-Ngoc Le Huynh
  • Patent number: 8312474
    Abstract: An encapsulation module encapsulates a function in a timed method adapter. A caller calls the timed method adapter in place of the function. The timed method adapter calls a set invoker. The set invoker saves an argument, calls an invoke thread, and returns to the timed method adapter. The invoke thread invokes the function and passes the function an object and the argument. The timed method adapter further waits for an execution result from the function and monitors for an expiration of a timeout. If the function returns the execution result before expiration of the timeout, the timed method adapter returns the execution result to the caller. If the timeout expires before the function returns the execution result, the timed method adapter directs the invoke thread to cancel the function and returns a timeout exception to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Ping Wang, Matthew John Ward
  • Patent number: 8312152
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for reassigning a network address. A detection module detects a routing table change for a host. The host is in communication with a least one network. A client is also in communication with the host over a network interface using a first address. A generation module generates a second address for the client. The second address does not compete with other addresses on the at least one network. An interface module disables the network interface to the client. The interface module then enables the network interface between the client and the host. A communication module receives a request for a new address from the client. The communication module assigns the second address to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Tyler Dubs, Steven Richard Perrin, James Joseph Thrasher, Michael Terrell Vanover, Jennifer Greenwood Zawacki
  • Patent number: 8312144
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for exchanging services in a distributed system. A communication module receives an advertisement of service capabilities for a service provider. The communication module further receives a registration of service requirements for a service consumer. A match module determines if the advertisement service capabilities match the registration service requirements. A configuration module configures the service provider to supply the service requirements of the service consumer if the advertisement service capabilities match the registration service requirements. An establishment module establishes a service relationship between the service provider and the service consumer. The service provider provides the service requirements of the service consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason James Gravees, Ivan Ronald Olguin, II, Kevan D. Holdaway
  • Patent number: 8302385
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling engine exhaust temperature. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for controlling the temperature of engine output exhaust of an internal combustion engine during a regeneration event on a particulate matter filter includes a regeneration module and an exhaust temperature manager. The regeneration module is configured to determine a desired diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) inlet exhaust temperature during a regeneration event. The exhaust temperature manager is configured to determine an air-to-fuel ratio strategy for achieving a desired air-to-fuel ratio within the combustion chamber for producing an engine output exhaust temperature approximately equal to the desired DOC inlet exhaust temperature. The air-to-fuel ratio strategy includes a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes varying the position of an air intake throttle valve while maintaining a VGT device in a fixed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Vivek A. Sujan
  • Patent number: 8307258
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reconfiguring an array of solid-state storage elements protected using parity data. The storage element error module determines that one or more storage elements are unavailable to store data (“unavailable storage elements”). The storage element resides in an array with N number of storage elements storing a first ECC chunk and P number of storage elements storing first parity data. The reconfigure data read module reads data from storage elements other than the unavailable storage elements. The data regeneration module uses the first parity data to regenerate missing data from the first ECC chunk. The data reconfiguration module creates a second ECC chunk. The new configuration storage module stores a portion of the second ECC chunk and associated second parity data on (N+P)?Z number of storage elements, wherein 1?Z?P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Fusion-10, Inc
    Inventors: David Flynn, Jonathan Thatcher, Joshua Aune, Jeremy Fillingim, Bill Inskeep, John Strasser, Kevin Vigor
  • Patent number: 8303225
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, described herein is a wall anchor system includes an insert that is positionable within a hole in a wall. The wall anchor system further includes an anchor that is insertable into and passable through the insert. Additionally, the wall anchor system includes an elastic member that couples the insert and anchor. The insert and anchor remain coupled via the elastic member as the anchor is inserted into and passes through the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lifetime Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Kearl, Lynn Vandyke, Matthew Wiggins, Curtis Taylor
  • Patent number: 8304290
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for connecting an integrated circuit device to a substrate. A plurality of standard diameter pillars and three or more increased diameter pillars are disposed on an integrated circuit device. The increased diameter pillars have a diameter that is greater than the standard diameter pillars and a height that is similar to the standard diameter pillars. The standard diameter pillars and the increased diameter pillars form a pattern on the integrated circuit device that corresponds to contact pads on a substrate opposite the integrated circuit device. A first group of solder bumps is disposed between the standard diameter pillars and the contact pads. A second group of solder bumps is disposed between the increased diameter pillars and the contact pads. The second group of solder bumps has pre-connection heights that are greater than pre-connection heights of the first group of solder bumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Graf, Thomas E. Lombardi, Sudipta K. Ray, David J. West
  • Patent number: 8297048
    Abstract: Mounting close-coupled catalysts for internal combustion engines. In one aspect, supporting a catalyst in an internal combustion engine includes a mounting bracket coupled to a base surface of an engine block. One or more support rods are coupled between the mounting bracket and a housing of the catalyst, such that the catalyst is coupled to and supported by the base surface of the engine block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Matthew Biedler, Robert Clinton Ahrmann
  • Patent number: 8301750
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for assuring delivery of an Enterprise Information System (EIS) event to a client. An adapter apparatus polls at least one EIS for an event. The event is staged to a staging table, consisting of an XA-compliant database, in preparation for delivery to the client. The status of the event is marked and the event is delivered to the client. Events delivered to clients that are unresponsive or otherwise unavailable are held until the clients become responsive and then the events are delivered. Delivery of events is confirmed using a transaction service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jason Nathaniel Lacombe, Travis Eli Nelson, Suraksha Vidyarthi
  • Patent number: 8296949
    Abstract: An apparatus for designing a tubing configuration comprising modules that receive tube design input, interpret a tube design input, calculate a final tube design, and display a final tube design. The tube design input may include point locations, bend criteria and end conditions, among others. The apparatus may further include modules that determine whether the tube design input exceeds a complexity threshold, comprises a minimum set of information, and comprises a conflicting or erroneous design. The apparatus may further include modules that determine and optimize the manufacturing cost as well as determine the manufacturability of the tube. The apparatus may further include modules that store operational challenges corresponding to emissions reduction features and secondary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Clevenger, Donald A. Gibson, David Sarcona, Michael J. Senetar
  • Patent number: 8302202
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed that provides a user-specific transportable computing environment. The apparatus, system, and method facilitate users configuring their own personal computing environment on a properly configured computing host. Users can insert a personal environment key into the computing host and automatically activate and configure any software they are licensed to use. The personal environment key may include all the data, licenses, and keys necessary to activate software that the user has rights to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Colin Scott Dawson
  • Patent number: 8292899
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for positional fixation of a fastener, including but not limited to the extraction of an orthopedic screw. According to one embodiment, an instrument is provided which accepts a collet designed to conform to a proximal end of a variety of types and sizes of fasteners. The collet is installed through a chuck body, which is seated in a distal end of a handle. A closing mechanism within the handle causes the collet to tightly grip and lock onto the proximal end of the fastener. A compressible distal end of the collet may have longitudinal slits that define jaws for improving gripping flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventors: Russell G. Olsen, Steven S. Ramboz
  • Patent number: 8296226
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an asset backed purchase card. The present invention includes a house account comprising one or more assets, each of the one or more assets having a substantially continually updated spot purchase price. The invention receives funds from a consumer in exchange for a portion of the one or more assets from the house account based on an internal spot price of the asset, increasing a balance in a purchase account of the consumer. The purchase account is debited by selling a quantity of the asset backing the purchase account balance to the house account based on the internal spot price of the asset in response to a transaction based on a purchase card purchase by the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Liberty Gold International, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason W. Pratt, Bernard von NotHaus
  • Patent number: 8291158
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for enforcing policy controls for non-system managed tape media. The apparatus includes an operating system configured to communicate with a tape media drive, and an identification module configured to identify a tape media type of a tape media cartridge. The apparatus may also include a policy module configured to maintain control policies for tape media types, and a media control module configured to enforce the control policies. The system includes a computing system having a processor, a cache, an operating system, and a plurality of input/output interfaces, a tape media drive coupled to the computing system, and the apparatus. The method includes communicating with a tape media drive, identifying a tape media type of a tape media cartridge, maintaining a plurality of control policies for tape media types, and enforcing the plurality of control policies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Rawwei Chang, Erika Marianna Dawson, Jon Arthur Lynds, Michael Ray Noel, Linda Jean Schiltz, Michael William Wood
  • Patent number: 8289801
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for power loss management in a nonvolatile data storage device. A monitor module initiates a power loss mode in the nonvolatile data storage device in response to a primary power source failing to supply electric power above a predefined threshold to the nonvolatile data storage device. A secondary power source supplies electric power to the nonvolatile data storage device for at least a power hold-up time during the power loss mode. A power loss module adjusts execution of in-process operations on the nonvolatile data storage device during the power loss mode so that essential in-process operations execute within the power hold-up time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Fusion-IO, Inc.
    Inventors: Lance L. Smith, Jeremy Fillingim, David Flynn, Bill Inskeep, John Strasser, Jonathan Thatcher