Patents by Inventor John J. Thomas

John J. Thomas 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: 20160328260
    Abstract: A resource reservoir is provided. The resource reservoir is a pool of resources that are allocated to and shared between a plurality of reserve virtual machines. A reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines corresponds to a primary virtual machine from a plurality of primary virtual machines. Each reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines fulfills a resource requirement from the resource reservoir. The sum of the resources requirements of the plurality of reserve virtual machines is greater than a sum of total resources within the resource reservoir. In response to determining a decrease in performance of the primary virtual machine, at least a portion of workload of the primary virtual machine is applied to the corresponding reserve virtual machine. The resources used by the reserve virtual are indicated as unavailable to the remaining reserve virtual machines from the resource reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Howard N. Anglin, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 9471318
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a plurality of threads on a multi-threading processing core. Embodiments provide an instruction count threshold condition that determines how many countable instructions of a thread the multi-threading processing core will execute before context switching to another one of the plurality of threads. A first plurality of instructions for a first one of the plurality of threads is processed on the multi-threading processing core. Embodiments determine, for each of the first plurality of instructions, whether the instruction is a countable instruction, wherein at least one of the first plurality of instructions is not a countable instruction. A count of the countable instructions is maintained. Upon determining that the instruction count threshold condition is satisfied, based on the maintained count, embodiments context switch the multi-threading processing core to process a second plurality of instructions for a second one of the plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 9471319
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a plurality of threads on a multi-threading processing core. Embodiments provide an instruction count threshold condition that determines how many countable instructions of a thread the multi-threading processing core will execute before context switching to another one of the plurality of threads. A first plurality of instructions for a first one of the plurality of threads is processed on the multi-threading processing core. Embodiments determine, for each of the first plurality of instructions, whether the instruction is a countable instruction, wherein at least one of the first plurality of instructions is not a countable instruction. A count of the countable instructions is maintained. Upon determining that the instruction count threshold condition is satisfied, based on the maintained count, embodiments context switch the multi-threading processing core to process a second plurality of instructions for a second one of the plurality of threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 9459892
    Abstract: A resource reservoir is provided. The resource reservoir is a pool of resources that are allocated to and shared between a plurality of reserve virtual machines. A reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines corresponds to a primary virtual machine from a plurality of primary virtual machines. Each reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines fulfills a resource requirement from the resource reservoir. The sum of the resources requirements of the plurality of reserve virtual machines is greater than a sum of total resources within the resource reservoir. In response to determining a decrease in performance of the primary virtual machine, at least a portion of workload of the primary virtual machine is applied to the corresponding reserve virtual machine. The resources used by the reserve virtual are indicated as unavailable to the remaining reserve virtual machines from the resource reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard N. Anglin, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 9361089
    Abstract: Virtual Machine (VM) images in a virtualized environment are updated through the use of patches. A virtualization data processing system includes a hypervisor that manages a VM image. The hypervisor is configured to retrieve a patch for an instance of the VM image from a secure site. The hypervisor blocks all other network access to the VM image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Bradfield, Justo M. Guizan, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20160070721
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes at least one processor and logic configured to receive a request to process data stored in one or more index records in a keyed index of a database, determine an active key range for the one or more index records, and group the one or more index records into a number of groups for parallel processing thereof. In another embodiment, a method for utilizing a keyed index includes receiving a request to process data stored in index records in a keyed index of a database, determining an active key range for the index records, wherein the active key range is determined based on any of: a type of the index records, a horizontal pointer to a next index record, and a low key value for each index record, and grouping the index records into a number of groups for parallel processing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Terri A. Menendez, John J. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150317173
    Abstract: A resource reservoir is provided. The resource reservoir is a pool of resources that are allocated to and shared between a plurality of reserve virtual machines. A reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines corresponds to a primary virtual machine from a plurality of primary virtual machines. Each reserve virtual machine of the plurality of reserve virtual machines fulfills a resource requirement from the resource reservoir. The sum of the resources requirements of the plurality of reserve virtual machines is greater than a sum of total resources within the resource reservoir. In response to determining a decrease in performance of the primary virtual machine, at least a portion of workload of the primary virtual machine is applied to the corresponding reserve virtual machine. The resources used by the reserve virtual are indicated as unavailable to the remaining reserve virtual machines from the resource reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard N. Anglin, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20140282607
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a plurality of threads on a multi-threading processing core. Embodiments provide an instruction count threshold condition that determines how many countable instructions of a thread the multi-threading processing core will execute before context switching to another one of the plurality of threads. A first plurality of instructions for a first one of the plurality of threads is processed on the multi-threading processing core. Embodiments determine, for each of the first plurality of instructions, whether the instruction is a countable instruction, wherein at least one of the first plurality of instructions is not a countable instruction. A count of the countable instructions is maintained. Upon determining that the instruction count threshold condition is satisfied, based on the maintained count, embodiments context switch the multi-threading processing core to process a second plurality of instructions for a second one of the plurality of threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'SULLIVAN, John J. THOMAS, Barry E. WILLNER
  • Publication number: 20140281442
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a plurality of threads on a multi-threading processing core. Embodiments provide an instruction count threshold condition that determines how many countable instructions of a thread the multi-threading processing core will execute before context switching to another one of the plurality of threads. A first plurality of instructions for a first one of the plurality of threads is processed on the multi-threading processing core. Embodiments determine, for each of the first plurality of instructions, whether the instruction is a countable instruction, wherein at least one of the first plurality of instructions is not a countable instruction. A count of the countable instructions is maintained. Upon determining that the instruction count threshold condition is satisfied, based on the maintained count, embodiments context switch the multi-threading processing core to process a second plurality of instructions for a second one of the plurality of threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20100287544
    Abstract: Virtual Machine (VM) images in a virtualized environment are updated through the use of patches. A virtualization data processing system includes a hypervisor that manages a VM image. The hypervisor is configured to retrieve a patch for an instance of the VM image from a secure site. The hypervisor blocks all other network access to the VM image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew J. Bradfield, Justo M. Guizan, John J. Thomas, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 7797335
    Abstract: File transitions are identified that are to be tracked and at least one element of metadata is generated that characterizes each identified file transition to be tracked. Upon receiving a request for historical transition information, elements of metadata corresponding to at least two instances of a tracked file are aggregated and information is provided responsive to the request that is derived from the aggregated elements of metadata. The action metadata may follow that history of each tracked file as well as the histories of copies of each tracked file over time. Thus, an operator can manage the infrastructure of a corresponding computing environment with knowledge of the current and historical activities of files.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edith H. Stern, John J. Thomas, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20080177755
    Abstract: File transitions are identified that are to be tracked and at least one element of metadata is generated that characterizes each identified file transition to be tracked. Upon receiving a request for historical transition information, elements of metadata corresponding to at least two instances of a tracked file are aggregated and information is provided responsive to the request that is derived from the aggregated elements of metadata. The action metadata may follow that history of each tracked file as well as the histories of copies of each tracked file over time. Thus, an operator can manage the infrastructure of a corresponding computing environment with knowledge of the current and historical activities of files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edith H. Stern, John J. Thomas, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner
  • Publication number: 20020188253
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating and delivering a medical agent into an isolated vein segment, the isolated vein segment not having any communicating vein branches, the apparatus comprising a catheter having at least expandable vein occlusion devices to engage and expand the inside wall of a vein, thereby blocking the interior of the vein and preventing fluid located in the isolated segment from flowing between the occlusion devices and the wall of the vein at a pressure within the isolated vein segment of at least 100, and preferably 200, millimeters of mercury, the catheter including one or more lumens for directing a fluid into the isolated vein segment at a pressure of at least 100 millimeters of mercury.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Pharmaspec Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas S. Gordon, Mary Jo Gordon, Robert C. Lichty, John J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6037118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of direct detecting of capsid proteins from intact viral particles using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which enables viral proteins to be characterized at the femtomolar level in complex biological milieu with minimal or no cleanup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: John J. Thomas, Catherine Fenselau
  • Patent number: 5008560
    Abstract: An electric utility sub-station having two transformers which transmit electric energy to customers in different service areas. A throwover is provided which is operative, when a failure occurs in one transformer, to switch the load normally carried by the failed transformer over to the other transformer which then carries the load of both transformers. Operation of the throwover is blocked when the total demand load on both transformers exceeds the capacity of either transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: The Detroit Edison Company
    Inventors: Roger Kieren, David A. Jamison, John J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4938332
    Abstract: A clutch release mechanism includes an annular piston arranged to move an anti-friction bearing axially for operating a friction clutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The outer diametrical dimension of the anti-friction bearing is less than the internal profile dimension of the annular cylinder, whereby the bearing is movable into the space circumscribed by the cylinder when the piston is in its retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Thomas, Phillip D. Yee, Daniel F. Kiblawi, Bryce W. Babcock
  • Patent number: 4504240
    Abstract: A hand puppet in which a plurality of different facial components can be removably attached to a head portion to produce different characters, such as monsters, funny looking characters, science fiction characters, etc. The hand puppet has a relatively rigid head portion, and the facial components can be attached anywhere on the head portion, and in any orientation relative to the head portion. A sleeve depends from the head portion, and has an opening at its distal end, and into which an operator's hand can be inserted to support the puppet.The sleeve is preferably formed of fabric which depicts an outer garment for the puppet and the sleeve has a pocket for storing the detachable facial components. Further, the sleeve is designed so that when the pocket is closed, it is basically hidden from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: John J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4098646
    Abstract: There is provided a tissue cell culture medium for the growth of pathogenic T. Pallidum organisms wherein the virulence of said organisms is maintained over many subculture passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Florida Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ronald H. Jones, Mary A. Finn, John J. Thomas, Edward C. Folger
  • Patent number: 3950322
    Abstract: There are provided novel fluorogenic substrates comprising a ketoside formed between an N-acyl neuraminic acid and a highly fluorescent material containing a phenolic grouping. The presence of neuraminidase is detected by contacting the aforementioned fluorogenic substrate with a sample suspected of containing neuraminidase. Neuraminidase, if present, cleaves the ketosidic linkage, releasing the fluorescent material which is then detected by known methods. There is also provided a novel and efficient method of preparing such fluorogenic substrates utilizing cadmium carbonate as a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1973
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1976
    Assignee: Research Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Thomas, Edward C. Folger