Patents by Inventor David T. Windell

David T. Windell 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).

  • Publication number: 20140218399
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing systems are provided. One system includes a capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising a management module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the management module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and comparing the target device in the captured environmental input to a model of the target device. The method further includes recognizing, in real-time, a status condition of the target device based on the comparison and providing a user with troubleshooting data if the status condition is an error condition. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David T. WINDELL
  • Publication number: 20140218398
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing systems are provided. One system includes a capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising a management module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the management module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and comparing the target device in the captured environmental input to a model of the target device. The method further includes recognizing, in real-time, a status condition of the target device based on the comparison and providing a user with troubleshooting data if the status condition is an error condition. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David T. WINDELL
  • Patent number: 8738754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing systems are provided. One system includes a capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising a management module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the management module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and comparing the target device in the captured environmental input to a model of the target device. The method further includes recognizing, in real-time, a status condition of the target device based on the comparison and providing a user with troubleshooting data if the status condition is an error condition. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8677043
    Abstract: An A filler module may include, but is not limited to: a body portion; and at least one conductive portion receivable within a component port of a computing device. A method for initializing a computing system may include but is not limited to: detecting a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports; and determining compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules withing the one or more computing device component ports. A system comprising: a computing device component port; and a processing device configured to: detect a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports, and determine compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules within the one or more computing device component ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Windell, Jeffrey J. Smith, Timothy A. Meserth, Seth D. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20130291120
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for securing information for a virtual world environment. The method includes creating information for a virtual world environment, transmitting the information to the virtual world environment from the memory, selectively removing the information from the virtual world environment, and selectively storing the information on a memory external to the server to prevent access from the server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy A. Meserth, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8543930
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which humans interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20130212419
    Abstract: A programmable logic circuit assigns a value to an outlet of a power distribution unit (PDU) that comprises a power source at an input of the PDU and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) associated with the outlet. The programmable logic circuit sends the value to a program on a hardware device that comprises one or more power supplies. The programmable logic circuit receives information from the program. Subsequently, an illumination state of the LED is modified based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John C. Hilburn, Jeffrey J. Smith, Marshall S. Stanley, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8495702
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for securing information for a virtual world environment. The method includes creating information for a virtual world environment, transmitting the information to the virtual world environment from the memory, selectively removing the information from the virtual world environment, and selectively storing the information on a memory external to the server to prevent access from the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Meserth, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8462322
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for lock and key security, the lock including a light receptacle, a scatter pattern detecting module, and a locking mechanism, the key including a light source and a prism, the lock and key security including receiving, in the light receptacle of the lock, light transmitted by the light source in the key through the prism; identifying, by the scatter pattern detecting module, a scatter pattern of the received light; comparing, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the scatter pattern to a unique preauthorized pattern for operating the lock; if the scatter pattern matches the unique preauthorized pattern, switching, by the scatter pattern detecting module, the current locking state of the locking mechanism; and if the scatter pattern does not match the unique preauthorized pattern, maintaining the current locking state of the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Duffy, III, Phillip D. Jones, Michael K. Trivette, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20130067573
    Abstract: System, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which humans interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8316310
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for verifying an avatar owner as a human user of an avatar in a virtual world environment in which users interact through avatars via client devices in network communication with a server device. A request for challenging an avatar in the virtual world environment is received to determine whether that avatar is controlled by an application program user (bot). A user client device associated with a challenged avatar is identified and a Human Identification Proof (HIP) message for detecting a human user versus a bot controlling the challenged avatar is generated and communicated, for receipt at the identified user client device. It is determined from the response, whether the user is a bot or a human user. If a challenged avatar is determined to be a bot, then the server device prevents the challenged avatar from further interaction in the virtual world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Champion, Jeffrey J. Smith, Kevin J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20120265876
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing systems are provided. One system includes a capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising a management module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the management module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and comparing the target device in the captured environmental input to a model of the target device. The method further includes recognizing, in real-time, a status condition of the target device based on the comparison and providing a user with troubleshooting data if the status condition is an error condition. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David T. WINDELL
  • Publication number: 20120257794
    Abstract: Methods for managing errors utilizing augmented reality are provided. One system includes a transceiver configured to communicate with a systems management console, capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising an augmented reality module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the augmented reality module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and querying the systems management console regarding a status condition for the target device. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy A. MESERTH, Mark E. MOLANDER, David T. WINDELL
  • Publication number: 20120259973
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computing systems are provided. One system includes a capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising a management module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the management module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and comparing the target device in the captured environmental input to a model of the target device. The method further includes recognizing, in real-time, a status condition of the target device based on the comparison and providing a user with troubleshooting data if the status condition is an error condition. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David T. WINDELL
  • Publication number: 20120256953
    Abstract: Systems for managing errors utilizing augmented reality are provided. One system includes a transceiver configured to communicate with a systems management console, capture device for capturing environmental inputs, memory storing code comprising an augmented reality module, and a processor. The processor, when executing the code comprising the augmented reality module, is configured to perform the method below. One method includes capturing an environmental input, identifying a target device in the captured environmental input, and querying the systems management console regarding a status condition for the target device. Also provided are physical computer storage mediums including a computer program product for performing the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy A. MESERTH, Mark E. MOLANDER, David T. WINDELL
  • Publication number: 20120120588
    Abstract: An A filler module may include, but is not limited to: a body portion; and at least one conductive portion receivable within a component port of a computing device. A method for initializing a computing system may include but is not limited to: detecting a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports; and determining compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules withing the one or more computing device component ports. A system comprising: a computing device component port; and a processing device configured to: detect a presence or absence of one or more filler modules within one or more computing device component ports, and determine compliance with an allowed filler module configuration according to the detection of the presence or absence of the one or more filler modules within the one or more computing device component ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David T. Windell, Jeffrey J. Smith, Timothy A. Meserth, Seth D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8074171
    Abstract: A method for providing notification of content potentially omitted from within an active document in a document preparation application comprises defining a natural language model for a set of phrasal forms associating each phrasal form with a content type; parsing a textual content of the active document to generate one or more natural language tokens; accessing the natural language model to identify each of the one or more natural language tokens that matches with a phrasal form; generating a list of expected content items having an expected content item for each of the one or more natural language tokens that matches with a phrasal form; scanning the active document to attempt to locate each expected content item; and displaying a notification of each expected content item not located. Each expected content item is generated based upon the content type associated with the corresponding matching phrasal form in the natural language model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Harlow, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 8053688
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of masking audible sounds emanating from a keyboard in response to a stroking of keys on the keyboard, the method comprising, selecting components from a plurality of components with various masses, building the keyboard with the selected components, moving a movable mass within the keyboard, and energizing a driving transducer within the keyboard. Further disclosed herein is a keyboard for a computer, comprising a plurality of keys, a cover with the keys protruding therethrough, a base supporting the cover and the keys, and at least one selectable mass wherein the mass is selected from a plurality of masses, a movable mass supported by the base and movable relative to the base, and a driving transducer supported by the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent C. Conzola, Vincent R. Lanzolla, Timothy A. Meserth, Gerard F. Muenkel, David T. Windell
  • Publication number: 20110191478
    Abstract: A quick access display with a small screen is physically attached to the outside of a laptop computer. Selected and key information in formatted display frames is electronically pushed to the quick access display by an application program loaded to run on the laptop computer's operating system. The formatted display frames are communicated over a universal serial bus (USB), or wirelessly by radio frequency identification (RFID) chips, BLUETOOTH, or IEEE-802.11 Wi-Fi. Operating power for the quick access display is provided by long-life watch batteries and the electronics are implemented in low power MOS technologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: International Business Organization Name Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Eischeid, Daniel P. Kelaher, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell
  • Patent number: 7701327
    Abstract: A wireless display panel for an electronic system includes a plurality of light status indicators. Each light status indicator includes a first chamber attached to the wireless display panel and having an excitable gas inside an end of thereof and a second chamber attached to a surface of the electronic system. The first and second chambers being formed of conducting material and corresponding to each other, connecting with each other to form a sealed enclosure when the wireless display panel is connected with the electronic system. Each light status indicator also includes a generator attached to the surface of the electronic system and surrounded by the second chamber, outputting alternating current (AC) power inside the sealed enclosure for wirelessly transmitting AC current to excite the excitable gas, as determined by the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Duffy, III, Jeffrey J. Smith, David T. Windell