Patents by Inventor David Frederick Champion

David Frederick Champion 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: 8584091
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein information is associated with a program element that is capable of being processed in a software environment generated by an operating system. A graphical information note application is executed in response to a processing of the program element in the software environment. A graphical information note that includes the associated information is displayed, in response to the execution of the graphical information note application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, Jeffrey John Smith, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 8352881
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions. Upon initiation of a predetermined user action, such as a right-click operation, a primary menu is displayed and a second radial menu is displayed proximate the primary menu with the cursor position at a predetermined location for minimizing cursor manipulation for selecting a menu item from the second radial menu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Mark E. Molander, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, David Thomas Windell, Jeffrey John Smith
  • Patent number: 7956552
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying and differentiating among multiple groups of devices, comprising at least two LEDs, a controller, and a blending medium. The at least two LEDs emit a wavelength of light that is different from a wavelength of each other LED. The controller drives the at least two LEDs to each emit light at specified intensities in response to a color identifying value. The blending medium combines the light emitted by the at least two LEDs into an identifying color that identifies a group of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machiness Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Daniel Ernest Hurlimann, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Michael Sven Miller, Wallace G. Tuten, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 7949938
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for comparing and merging multiple merge documents, wherein each merge document includes content element locations having user content or empty. A determination is made in the determined merge documents of content element locations in at least two of the merge documents having a same content and content element locations in at least two of the determined merge documents having different content. An aggregate document is generated including content element locations corresponding to the content element locations in the determined merge documents. A content graphical indicator is rendered with content element locations in the aggregate document for which at least two of the determined merge documents provide different content, and information is rendered in response to user selection for the content in the plurality of the merge documents provided for the selected content element location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, Jeffrey John Smith, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 7706903
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and electronic devices are provided for managing sound in a plurality of computer-executed applications. One method includes: operating a sound manager function to provide a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1; and in response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, the sound manager function selectively muting the up to n-1 applications. Another method includes providing a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1. In response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, at least one action is performed in response to requests to play sounds by the selectively muted applications so that the sounds are muted with respect to a sound device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Vincent Rocco Lanzolla, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Mark E. Molander, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 7639486
    Abstract: A system for receiving and supporting a plurality of devices connected to a network. The system comprises a rack having a front side providing access to a plurality of chassis bays for receiving a chassis and aligning a back end of the chassis for blind docking with an electrical power source. The chassis includes a power supply, a fan, and a front side providing access to a plurality of module bays for receiving a module and aligning a back end of the module for blind docking with the power supply. A compute module is received in a module bay and directly blind docked to the power supply. The system further includes at least one other module received in a module bay within the same chassis as the compute module and directly blind docked with the same power supply along with the compute module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Karl Klaus Dittus, Brian Gormley, Vinod Kamath, Michael Sven Miller
  • Publication number: 20090260384
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a rack assembly for cooling a computer system. A rack provides support for one or more columns of heat-generating electronic devices. Device fans move air from an air inlet side of the rack through the devices and through an air outlet side of the rack. A unitary door has a support frame spanning the air outlet side of the rack and hingedly coupling the door to a rear vertical edge of the rack. The unitary door includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger panel spanning an air outlet passage inside the support frame so that substantially all of the air passing through the air outlet side of the rack must pass through the heat exchanger panel. The air outlet passage has a cross-sectional area that is substantially equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the one or more columns of heat-generating devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Eric Alan Eckberg, James Dorance Gerken, Howard Victor Mahaney, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090261214
    Abstract: A cable clamp has a first clamp member secured to the chassis or to the rack adjacent to one of the module bays and a second clamp member movably secured to the first clamp member. The first clamp member defines a first clamp surface and the second clamp member defines a second clamp surface facing the first clamp surface. An elastic material is secured to a surface of one or both of the first and second clamp surfaces. The second clamp member is movable away from the first clamp member for receiving the one or more electronic cables between the first and second clamp surfaces. A biasing member biases the second clamp member toward the first clamp member sufficient to compress and frictionally engage the elastic material with the one or more electronic cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Norris Beauchamp, David Frederick Champion, Karl Klaus Dittus, Aubrey Lamond Hodges, John Joseph Struble, JR., Brian Alan Trumbo
  • Publication number: 20090237006
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for identifying and differentiating among multiple groups of devices, comprising at least two LEDs, a controller, and a blending medium. The at least two LEDs emit a wavelength of light that is different from a wavelength of each other LED. The controller drives the at least two LEDs to each emit light at specified intensities in response to a color identifying value. The blending medium combines the light emitted by the at least two LEDs into an identifying color that identifies a group of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Daniel Ernest Hurlimann, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Michael Sven Miller, Wallace G. Tuten, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 7562310
    Abstract: The invention concerns methods and apparatus for generating and controlling a slider control for simultaneously changing values of two variables. In the methods and apparatus of the invention a graph having two axes is displayed, wherein the axes correspond to first and second variables. The values of the first and second variables may be simultaneously adjusted using a slider control displayed in a two-dimensional region between the axes. As a user adjusts the slider control and changes values associated with the two variables, the methods of the present invention calculate the effects of the adjustment on a value of a third variable. A graphical component is then used to depict the updated value of the third variable. Additionally, curves corresponding to constant values, or ranges of values, of the third variable are displayed in the two-dimensional region to assist a user in selecting values for the first and second variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Vincent Rocco Lanzolla, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Mark E. Molander, David Thomas Windell
  • Publication number: 20090152216
    Abstract: A system for receiving and supporting a plurality of devices connected to a network. The system comprises a rack having a front side providing access to a plurality of chassis bays for receiving a chassis and aligning a back end of the chassis for blind docking with an electrical power source. The chassis includes a power supply, a fan, and a front side providing access to a plurality of module bays for receiving a module and aligning a back end of the module for blind docking with the power supply. A compute module is received in a module bay and directly blind docked to the power supply. The system further includes at least one other module received in a module bay within the same chassis as the compute module and directly blind docked with the same power supply along with the compute module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Karl Klaus Dittus, Brian Gormley, Vinod Kamath, Michael Sven Miller
  • Patent number: 7518069
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a control panel that reduces overall size while providing integrated button protection for functional advantage. The control panel includes a function activator disposed at a fixed position on panel face of a device and a moveable cover, disposed over the panel face, the moveable cover having a first selection aperture configured to allow selection of a desired function by allowing engagement of a function activator only when the first selection aperture is moved to align with a function activator associated with the desired function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roland Kamakau Alo, David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Michael Sven Miller, Gerard Francis Muenkel, David Thomas Windell
  • Publication number: 20090050461
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a control panel that reduces overall size while providing integrated button protection for functional advantage. The control panel includes a function activator disposed at a fixed position on panel face of a device and a moveable cover, disposed over the panel face, the moveable cover having a first selection aperture configured to allow selection of a desired function by allowing engagement of a function activator only when the first selection aperture is moved to align with a function activator associated with the desired function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roland Kamakau Alo, David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Michael Sven Miller, Gerard Francis Muenkel, David Thomas Windell
  • Publication number: 20080270976
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture, wherein information is associated with a program element that is capable of being processed in a software environment generated by an operating system. A graphical information note application is executed in response to a processing of the program element in the software environment. A graphical information note that includes the associated information is displayed, in response to the execution of the graphical information note application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, Jeffrey John Smith, David Thomas Windell
  • Publication number: 20080235579
    Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for comparing and merging multiple documents. A determination is made of a plurality of merge documents to merge, wherein each merge document includes content element locations, wherein content in the content element locations comprises user content or indication that the content element location is empty. A determination is made for each content element location in the determined merge documents content element locations in the merge documents having a same content and content element locations in at one of the determined merge documents having different content than the other determined merge documents. An aggregate document is generated including content element locations corresponding to the content element locations in the determined merge documents. A content graphical indicator is rendered with content element locations in the aggregate document for which at least one of the determined merge documents provide different content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, Jeffrey John Smith, David Thomas Windell
  • Publication number: 20080222569
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing customizable, immediate and radiating menus for accessing applications and actions. Upon initiation of a predetermined user action, such as a right-click operation, a primary menu is displayed and a second radial menu is displayed proximate the primary menu with the cursor position at a predetermined location for minimizing cursor manipulation for selecting a menu item from the second radial menu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Mark E. Molander, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, David Thomas Windell, Jeffrey John Smith
  • Publication number: 20080052642
    Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus for interacting with open applications in a graphical-user-interface (GUI) environment includes an initiation module to initiate, at the prompting of a user, an application selection interface mimicking the standard taskbar of an operating system GUI. The application selection interface displays applications and files currently open on a computer system of the user. A customization module enables the user to hide, according to the user's preferences, specific files, applications, groups of files, menus, toolbars, and the like that are displayed on the application selection interface, while leaving displayed other files, applications, groups of files, menus, toolbars, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Timothy Andreas Meserth, Mark E. Molander, Patrick Gabor Nyeste, Jeffrey John Smith, David Thomas Windell
  • Patent number: 7295882
    Abstract: The invention describes a method and apparatus for audible error code detection and identification. The method and apparatus allow an operator, user, or customer to automatically identify an error condition within an electronic device, such as a workstation computer or network server. The apparatus is configured to output an error message without the need for paper or electronic copies of manufacturer error code lookup tables, except as contained within the apparatus itself, thus simplifying the error detection and identification process. Additionally, the method and apparatus allow an operator to select various output modes so that the apparatus may report either a representation of the generated error code or a representation of the corresponding error condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Daniel Paul Kelaher, Bradley Michael Lawrence, Timothy Andreas Meserth, David Todd Nay, Kevin Laverne Schultz
  • Patent number: 7265968
    Abstract: A cassette for toolless installation and removal of an expansion card is disclosed. The cassette is provided with a detachable front plate, back plate, and side plate for substantially enclosing an expansion card. The front plate and back plate is pivotally coupled. The back plate includes horizontal and vertical zip slides, allowing the cassette to adjust to expansion cards of various sizes. A chassis is prepared for insertion of the cassette by opening a chassis top plate. The cassette is then be inserted into the chassis from a substantially horizontal approach and secured therein by a cassette coupler. A user then pivots the cassette downward, such that the conductive pins of the expansion card sequentially engage the expansion connector. The chassis top plate is then closed, securing the conductive pins of the expansion card in the expansion connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Brian Michael Kerrigan, Michael Sven Miller
  • Patent number: 7228495
    Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows blind and visually impaired users to quickly identify links to relevant material when “viewing” web pages that consist primarily of either plain text or images. By generating an aural or visual index to the links on the page being “viewed”, blind and visually impaired users can quickly jump to interesting sites that are linked from the current page without having to wait for the entire page to be voiced by a screen reader application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ravi Shankarnarayan Adapathya, David Frederick Champion, Alan Joseph Happ, Brad Michael Lawrence, Kevin Laverne Schultz