Patents Represented by Attorney Diana L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5553227
    Abstract: A method and system for visually programming state information using a visual switch. The visual switch has at least one first input, a plurality of second inputs, and at least one output. The method includes the steps of displaying the visual switch on a display and visually connecting the output to a selected one of the second inputs in response to the first input. The method includes the computer-implemented steps of displaying the first and second inputs on a display, visually linking information to at least one of the second inputs, and visually linking a value to one of the first inputs to set the visual switch object, thereby selectively connecting the information from one of the second inputs to the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Berry
  • Patent number: 5550970
    Abstract: A method and system for allocating at least one resource among a plurality of processes. The method includes the computer-implemented steps of displaying a representation of a proportion of the resource that is allocated to a first process on a display and, in response to manipulating the representation, dynamically changing the proportion of the resource that is allocated to the first process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy L. Cline, Scott H. Isensee, Ricky L. Poston
  • Patent number: 5551038
    Abstract: The present invention is a method, system and process for automatically customizing a computer environment based on the current active computer disk directory. Detection of the current active disk directory and any change of disk directory by a user triggers a search for a file that initiates the computer environment. Upon detection of the file, the system reconfigures the operating system to meet the user's requirements based on the disk directory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew R. Martin
  • Patent number: 5550559
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a point in a list are provided. The method includes the steps of indexing the list into segments, placing the segments into a viewer on a display, and selecting a desired segment from the viewer to scroll the list to the desired segment. The method may be integrated into a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott H. Isensee, Ricky L. Poston
  • Patent number: 5548731
    Abstract: A common data link interface providing a framework for device drivers and data link providers. This interface allows multiple frameworks to coexist and share a single device driver. The common data link interface is framework independant and provides functions that are common to a plurality of frameworks. The common data link interface comprises three components, a network device driver, network demultiplexers, and network services. The network device driver provides a simple interface to network based devices that can be used by both the sockets IFNET and the streams DLPI data link layers. The network demultiplexor provides common data link receive functionality. Network services provides the remaining additional functionality required to bind the common data link interface together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kyusun Chang, Lon E. Hall, Gregory S. Joyce, Paul D. Mazzurana, Lance W. Russell
  • Patent number: 5546520
    Abstract: A method, system, and memory for reshaping a window are provided. The method includes the step of reshaping the frame of a window around information displayed in the window in accordance with a preference setting and in response to a command from user controls. The system includes a display for displaying information stored in a window, user controls, and a processor for reshaping the frame of the window around the information in response to a command from the user controls. The memory includes computer readable program code that is stored in the memory. The program code directs a computer system to reshape the frame of a window around information that is displayed within the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy L. Cline, Scott H. Isensee, Ricky L. Poston, Jon H. Werner
  • Patent number: 5546519
    Abstract: A method, program product, and system create visual representations of iterator link objects. A graphical user interface of the present invention enables users to visually program iterative applications without having to use a programming language. The graphical user interface includes an iterator link object which is capable of removably linking a source object having multiple elements to a target object. On the occurrence of a trigger event, an action iterates over each individual element of the source object and is targeted to the target object. Therefore, the present invention enables the user to visually link multiple source objects to a target object. Furthermore, by utilizing more than one iterator link object, linked objects can be chained linked to other linked objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard E. Berry
  • Patent number: 5544316
    Abstract: A method and system for providing communications services between multiple processes running in multiple computer systems is provided. A single system semantic can be used to access processes, whether such processes reside on a local or remote computer. A mechanism is provided to allow processes to register as part of a distributed context. Registration may be accomplished explicitly by any child process to name its parent in the hierarchy, or automatically by the parent process when spawning children. This mechanism allows the additional flexibility that destination nodes in the distributed environment may be selected at run time without requiring knowledge on the part of the executing process. This allows the ability to cause processes to be distributed based on machine type, facilities available on a specific node or load balancing considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Carpenter, Christopher S. Claussen, James O. Cox
  • Patent number: 5522060
    Abstract: A multiprocessor memory managing system and method make it possible for a series of instructions corresponding to a data set, which is sequentially renewed by a series of data, to be sequentially executed by a multiprocessor with small overhead. More specifically, the system and method provide a procedure dealing with a data set which is sequentially renewed by a series of data having a sequence, in which snap shots of the data set at arbitrary points of time are assigned to element processors of a multiprocessor at a high speed to execute instructions corresponding to the snap shots in an efficient and parallel fashion. The apparatus includes a master memory and first and second slave memories for storing renewable data. The first and second slave memories are alternately locked and read for snapshots of the renewable data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kei Kawase, Takashi Matsumoto, Takao Moriyama
  • Patent number: 5515486
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, a uniquely programmed computer system, and a memory embodying detailed logic for directing a computer system to independently rotate a polyhedron display container about several axis. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of displaying a panel container on a display and, in response to a first command from user controls to select a first front panel in the panel container, horizontally rotating the first front panel to a central column if the first front panel is not in the central column. The method also includes the step of in response to the first command to select a second front panel, vertically rotating the second front panel to the central row if the second front panel is not in the central row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hatim Y. Amro, Troy L. Cline, Scott H. Isensee, Ricky L. Poston
  • Patent number: 5506955
    Abstract: Optimizing of performance data in a data processing system is provided by the use of data filters and alarms. Statistics to be monitored are a conglomeration of both system statistics and statistics made available by application programs, both on local and remote data processing systems. The statistics are filtered using combinations of arithmetic and boolean operators. A single filtered condition can invoke multiple alarm responses, and multiple alarm conditions can trigger the same alarm response. Feedback of filtered statistics is provided so that such statistics can be monitored and recorded in the same manner as normal system statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Chen, Niels Christiansen, Joseph C. Ross
  • Patent number: 5499368
    Abstract: A method, system and program providing scaled depiction of information from a database. In a preferred form, tables and lists are obtained from a database and used to build a data structure. The data structure is employed to define various relationships between the dynamic data and the database information using a numberline to display ranges of information to a user. The system employs a query interface and a relational database to provide an ergonomic, natural display system for a database user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Tate, Shih-Gong Li
  • Patent number: 5491813
    Abstract: A programming interface is provided in a computer graphics system which allows plural hardware display adapters to be upgraded and enhanced without correspondingly upgrading and rewriting display specific device driver code for each separate program application using the graphics system. A resource library with a standard programming interface, but specific to each display adapter is included, as well as display driver code for each adapter. Functions necessary to service the graphics model embodied in the program application are configured as device driver models and also are included within the interface of the present invention. Initially, the functions provided in the resource library are dynamically bound to expose the functionality of the desired display adapter. A second level of dynamic binding is implemented to bind the program application with the display specific code and graphic models being utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bondy, John A. Cook, Richard L. Verburg
  • Patent number: 5491795
    Abstract: A user interface system is used for accessing and performing window management operations. A control window containing icons linked to product windows. Each icon in the control window is also capable of projecting a miniature window dynamically linked in terms of content and parameters to the actual information represented by the icon. Window management operations, such as moving, sizing, restoring, and closing, performed on either the iconic or miniature window representations in the control window are transmitted directly to the contents of the represented windows and implemented, whether these windows are opened or closed at the time that the operations are performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Beaudet, Eduardus A. T. Merks, Martin Rendall, Roger Spall
  • Patent number: 5490244
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for transmitting objects of varying types from one processing unit to another using a transporter. The present invention enables the user to create and iconically display each transporter and object icon on a display. At object type definition, the user enters the characteristics of each object type once into a database. Furthermore, at transporter creation, the user enters the transmission command and destination address for each transporter once into a database. As such, the transporter is capable of transmitting numerous objects to a predefined processing unit without continuously prompting the user for object characteristics, mailing protocols, or destination addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott H. Isensee, Ricky L. Poston
  • Patent number: 5485567
    Abstract: A method, system and program for displaying database information via a table containing icons and other summary information which clearly and concisely convey particular aspects of a database to a user. The table display acts as a window into a database when it is selected by a user. A user can also make changes to the database via the window of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Banning, George P. Erwin-Grotsky, Shih-Gong Li, Alejandra Sanchez-Frank, Theodore Shrader
  • Patent number: 5483468
    Abstract: A system and method for concurrently recording and displaying of system performance data. System statistical data which is useful in determining the overall performance of a data processing system is captured, displayed, and recorded for subsequent playback. Based on the modular design, real time data can be concurrently captured, displayed and recorded. Attributes of the data can also be modified concurrently with the capture and display of data. Previously recorded data can also be displayed while concurrently capturing and recording other/additional data. A user interface is provided to conveniently control the concurrent operations. The data being displayed can be manipulated by a user to resize, move and scroll data being displayed without disturbing the underlying capture and recording of data. When the user interactions terminate, the display screen reflects the changes made, without loss of data. Multiple categories of process data can be viewed on a single timeline graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Chen, Niels Christiansen, Joseph C. Ross, Albert T. Rowan
  • Patent number: 5434974
    Abstract: A unique naming system and method are described for managing object identification by a network of computer systems. The naming system employs data structures stored in the memory of the computer systems containing character strings and corresponding addresses to entries in the data structures and objects in the computer systems. Names employed in a particular computer system that correspond to objects in another computer system are resolved by a border data structure capable of transforming names, delimiters and visas across computer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Larry K. Loucks, Amal A. Shaheen-Gouda
  • Patent number: 5432932
    Abstract: Local and remote processes can be controlled from a data processing system performance monitor. Multiple processes can be controlled concurrently with a single action selected. Processes to be controlled can be ranked when presented to a user, to assist in determining problematic processes that need attention. Process data is captured dynamically at local and remote processes using a daemon to minimize system overhead in monitoring and controlling processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James N. Chen, Niels Christiansen, Joseph C. Ross, Albert T. Rowan
  • Patent number: 5421004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for providing a complex testing framework/scaffold. Also included are testing tools that automate and simplify the testing process. The disclosed design handles networking and task concurrency. The testing scaffold is aimed at being a flexible test case driver that can be used to execute functional verification tests on a single host or large networked system level integration tests involving dozens of hosts. The testing scaffold is designed to meet the requirements of large scale testing environments. The ability to execute these environments similarly allows manipulation of smaller scale environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Carpenter, Christopher S. Claussen, James O. Cox