Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Brey

Thomas M. Brey 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: 10180665
    Abstract: A fluid-cooled computer system includes a plurality of heat-generating components and a cooling system configured for supplying a cooling fluid at a controlled cooling fluid flow rate to cool the heat-generating components. A temperature-based cooling control circuit includes a temperature sensor configured for sensing a temperature of the heat-generating components and control logic for increasing a cooling fluid flow rate in response to the temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. A power-based cooling control circuit is configured for identifying and quantifying an increasing power consumption trend over a target time interval and, during a period that the temperature of the electronic device does not exceed the temperature threshold, increasing a cooling fluid flow rate to the electronic device in response to the magnitude of the increasing power consumption trend exceeding a power threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Vinod Kamath, Jason A. Matteson
  • Patent number: 9110642
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises accessing historical operating data for a unit of information technology equipment, wherein the historical operating data includes power consumption, fan speed, inlet air temperature, workload, and any processor throttling events at various points in time. The method further comprises receiving user input selecting a fan speed, and using the historical operating data to determine a performance impact that is expected from operating the unit at the selected fan speed, where the power consumption is a proxy for performance. The estimated performance impact of the selected fan speed and one or more alternative fan speeds is then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Vinod Kamath, Jason A. Matteson, Billy W. Medlin
  • Patent number: 9021097
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rohith K. Ashok, Thomas M. Brey, Raymond J. Harrington, Matt R. Hogstrom, Matthew J. Sheard
  • Patent number: 9021076
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Austen, Thomas M. Brey, William M. Edmonds, Jeffrey M. Franke, Edward J. Klodnicki, James A. O'Connor, Nicholas M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8984134
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rohith K. Ashok, Thomas M. Brey, Raymond J. Harrington, Matt R. Hogstrom, Matthew J. Sheard
  • Patent number: 8909954
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically changing power caps for a set of powered elements. Current being consumed by the set of powered elements P on a branch circuit is measured and available current on the branch circuit is determined. A new total power cap for a current time period t is identified based on a current total power cap and the measured current. A difference in total power caps (?TPC) is determined and, for each powered element p in the set of powered elements P at the current time period, a new power cap PC (p,t) is determined based on the previous power cap PC(p,t?1) and the difference of the total power caps to the set of powered elements P. A power cap of each powered element p is then dynamically set to the new power cap PC (p,t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Thomas M. Brey, Wael R. El-Essawy, Alexandre P. Ferreira, Thomas W. Keller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8892714
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Austen, Thomas M. Brey, William M. Edmonds, Jeffrey M. Franke, Edward J. Klodnicki, James A. O'Connor, Nicholas M. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8677160
    Abstract: Methods, computers, and products for managing power consumption of a computer, the computer including a computer processor and managing power consumption of a computer includes: dynamically during operation of the computer, setting, by an in-band power manager in dependence upon performance metrics of the computer processor, a current performance state (‘p-state’) of the computer processor; and providing, by the in-band power manager to an out-of-band power manager, the current p-state of the computer processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Wesley M. Felter, Sumeet Kochar, Charles R. Lefurgy, Ryuji Orita, Freeman L. Rawson, III, Malcolm S. Ware
  • Patent number: 8612793
    Abstract: A method for dynamic power and performance calibration of a data processing system is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A synthesized program loaded in the data processing system is executed responsive to detecting an event in the data processing system. The synthesized program is configured to generate a set of data that is indicative of the data processing system's power-performance characteristics under varying conditions of operation. Using the set of data, a determination is made of a performance limit on an operation of the data processing system under present operating conditions of the data processing system. A parameter of the data processing system is calibrated to operate the data processing system within the performance limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andreas Bieswanger, Thomas M. Brey, Ajay Dholakia, Andrew Geissler, Hye-Young McCreary, Freeman Leigh Rawson, III, Malcolm Scott Allen-Ware
  • Publication number: 20130297772
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rohith K. Ashok, Thomas M. Brey, Raymond J. Harrington, Matt R. Hogstrom, Matthew J. Sheard
  • Publication number: 20130297773
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rohith K. Ashok, Thomas M. Brey, Raymond J. Harrington, Matt R. Hogstrom, Matthew J. Sheard
  • Patent number: 8533512
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for dynamic power and performance calibration of a data processing system are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A synthesized program loaded in the data processing system is executed responsive to detecting an event in the data processing system. The synthesized program is configured to generate a set of data that is indicative of the data processing system's power-performance characteristics under varying conditions of operation. Using the set of data, a determination is made of a performance limit on an operation of the data processing system under present operating conditions of the data processing system. A parameter of the data processing system is calibrated to operate the data processing system within the performance limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Scott Allen-Ware, Andreas Bieswanger, Thomas M. Brey, Ajay Dholakia, Andrew Geissler, Hye-Young McCreary, III, Freeman Leigh Rawson
  • Patent number: 8458499
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of managing power in a computer system. A device of the computer system is operated at a selected power-state. The power consumption of the computer system is monitored. If the power consumption of the computer system is approaching or has exceeded a power cap selected for the computer system, then a request to reduce the power-state for the device is generated in response. The operating system is used to service the request to reduce the power-state according to the priority of the request. The reduced power state is forced out-of-band following the request to reduce the power-state if the request is not immediately serviceable by the operating system. Different approaches can be taken to force the reduced power state, using, for example, system management mode or a platform environment control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Ajay Dholakia, Scott N. Dunham, Sumeet Kochar
  • Patent number: 8443210
    Abstract: A nameplate for power capping a computer including a mounting surface; a module integrated in the mounting surface for providing a machine-readable designation of a power cap for a particular computer; a human readable designation of a power cap for the particular computer integrated in the mounting surface; and a mount for attaching the mounting surface to a chassis of the particular computer such that the human readable designation of a power cap is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Justin P. Bandholz, Thomas M. Brey, Nickolas J. Gruendler, William G. Pagan, William J. Piazza
  • Publication number: 20130096720
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises accessing historical operating data for a unit of information technology equipment, wherein the historical operating data includes power consumption, fan speed, inlet air temperature, workload, and any processor throttling events at various points in time. The method further comprises receiving user input selecting a fan speed, and using the historical operating data to determine a performance impact that is expected from operating the unit at the selected fan speed, where the power consumption is a proxy for performance. The estimated performance impact of the selected fan speed and one or more alternative fan speeds is then displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Vinod Kamath, Jason A. Matteson, Billy W. Medlin
  • Publication number: 20130073096
    Abstract: A fluid-cooled computer system includes a plurality of heat-generating components and a cooling system configured for supplying a cooling fluid at a controlled cooling fluid flow rate to cool the heat-generating components. A temperature-based cooling control circuit includes a temperature sensor configured for sensing a temperature of the heat-generating components and control logic for increasing a cooling fluid flow rate in response to the temperature exceeding a temperature threshold. A power-based cooling control circuit is configured for identifying and quantifying an increasing power consumption trend over a target time interval and, during a period that the temperature of the electronic device does not exceed the temperature threshold, increasing a cooling fluid flow rate to the electronic device in response to the magnitude of the increasing power consumption trend exceeding a power threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas M. Brey, Vinod Kamath, Jason A. Matteson
  • Publication number: 20130054985
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically changing power caps for a set of powered elements. Current being consumed by the set of powered elements P on a branch circuit is measured and available current on the branch circuit is determined. A new total power cap for a current time period t is identified based on a current total power cap and the measured current. A difference in total power caps (?TPC) is determined and, for each powered element p in the set of powered elements P at the current time period, a new power cap PC (p,t) is determined based on the previous power cap PC(p,t?1.) and the difference of the total power caps to the set of powered elements P. A power cap of each powered element p is then dynamically set to the new power cap PC (p,t).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Thomas M. Brey, Wael R. El-Essawy, Alexandre P. Ferreira, Thomas W. Keller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130054981
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for dynamically changing power caps for a set of powered elements. Current being consumed by the set of powered elements P on a branch circuit is measured and available current on the branch circuit is determined. A new total power cap for a current time period t is identified based on a current total power cap and the measured current. A difference in total power caps (?TPC) is determined and, for each powered element p in the set of powered elements P at the current time period, a new power cap PC (p,t) is determined based on the previous power cap PC(p,t?1) and the difference of the total power caps to the set of powered elements P. A power cap of each powered element p is then dynamically set to the new power cap PC (p,t).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm S. Allen-Ware, Thomas M. Brey, Wael R. El-Essawy, Alexandre P. Ferreira, Thomas W. Keller, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130013759
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for managing inventory data for components of a server system. In one embodiment, a global management controller is provided, that is operatively connected to a plurality of local management controllers. Each local management controller is configured to manage a subset of the components of the server system. Each local management controller is also configured to generate, for each component, a checksum based on vital product data (VPD) of the component. Each local management controller is also configured to compute a composite checksum based on the checksums generated for the components in the subset. The global management controller is configured to maintain a global view of the VPD in the computer system, based on the checksums and/or composite checksums.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER H. AUSTEN, THOMAS M. BREY, WILLIAM M. EDMONDS, JEFFREY M. FRANKE, EDWARD J. KLODNICKI, JAMES A. O'CONNOR, NICHOLAS M. WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20120284503
    Abstract: A method for dynamic power and performance calibration of a data processing system is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A synthesized program loaded in the data processing system is executed responsive to detecting an event in the data processing system. The synthesized program is configured to generate a set of data that is indicative of the data processing system's power-performance characteristics under varying conditions of operation. Using the set of data, a determination is made of a performance limit on an operation of the data processing system under present operating conditions of the data processing system. A parameter of the data processing system is calibrated to operate the data processing system within the performance limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: MALCOLM SCOTT ALLEN-WARE, ANDREAS BIESWANGER, THOMAS M. BREY, AJAY DHOLAKIA, ANDREW GEISSLER, HYE-YOUNG MCCREARY, FREEMAN LEIGH RAWSON, III