Patents Represented by Attorney Griffiths & Seaton PLLC

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  • Alignment of tape cartridge accessor
    Patent number: 7907796
    Abstract: A method for aligning a tape cartridge accessor with cartridges in cells of a tape cartridge magazine is provided. IR illumination is applied to an object expected to include a desired physical feature. Specular reflections are received from the illuminated object to create an image of the object. Dynamic image thresholding is applied to the image to select an optimum gray scale level of the image expected to include the desired physical feature. Bounding boxes are used to identify the location of the desired physical feature in the thresholded image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Lyle Joseph Chamberlain
  • Data allocation in a distributed storage system
    Patent number: 7908413
    Abstract: A method for data distribution, including distributing logical addresses among an initial set of devices so as provide balanced access, and transferring the data to the devices in accordance with the logical addresses. If a device is added to the initial set, forming an extended set, the logical addresses are redistributed among the extended set so as to cause some logical addresses to be transferred from the devices in the initial set to the additional device. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the initial set. If a surplus device is removed from the initial set, forming a depleted set, the logical addresses oldie surplus device are redistributed among the depleted set. There is substantially no transfer of the logical addresses among the depleted set. In both cases the balanced access is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ofir Zohar, Yaron Revah, Haim Helman, Dror Cohen
  • Mechanically convertible transaction product
    Patent number: 7905416
    Abstract: A mechanically convertible transaction product includes a body, two or more appendages, and an account identifier. Each of the two or more appendages is rotatably coupled with the body and configured to selectively rotate relative to the body between a compact position and an expanded position. Each appendage extends further away from the body when in the expanded position such that an overall form of the transaction product is altered when any of the appendages are in the expanded position as compared to when all of the appendages are in the compact position. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record. Stored-value products, combinations, methods of providing a transaction card, and other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted C. Halbur, Timothy P. Clegg, Primoz Samardzija
  • Retail display systems and methods
    Patent number: 7900385
    Abstract: A retail display system includes a first bracket having a mounting portion defining a substantially arcuate face, a first arm having at least one insertion tab, and a second arm having at least one insertion tab. The first bracket is secured to a back face of a first display article including a backer and an image of a first product. The display article defines a border coterminous with a periphery of the first product. The display article is maintained by the backer by flexing the first display article to shape the first display article to the mounting portion of the first bracket and by securing the flexed, first display article to the first bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Clark, Michael A. Whittier, David H. Cheney
  • Transaction card assembly with subject and stand portions, electrostatic clings and a backer
    Patent number: 7900827
    Abstract: A transaction product includes a subject portion defining a first slot, a stand portion defining a second slot having a similar width as the first slot, and an account identifier. The stand portion is coupled to the subject portion along a line of weakness and is readily separable from the subject portion along the line of weakness without using tools. The account identifier is fixedly connected to one of the subject portion and the stand portion and links that portion to at least one of an account and a record. When separated, the subject portion and the stand portion are configured to be reassembled such that the first slot receives a thickness of the stand portion and the second slot receives a thickness of the subject portion. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Albers, Ted C. Halbur, Erin M. Borkowski
  • Restoring data to a distributed storage node
    Patent number: 7904747
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for operating a data storage system having one or more network interfaces and a plurality of data storage nodes configured to provide redundant storage locations. The method includes storing a set of node partitions on a given storage node of the plurality of data storage nodes. The method also includes, following a recovery by the given storage node from a malfunction, making a determination for a node partition in the set whether the node partition is current or noncurrent, and processing the node partition according to the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ofir Zohar, Haim Helman, Shemer Schwartz, Efri Zeidner, Kariel Sendler, Shai Gross
  • DC UPS configured as intrinsic power transfer switch
    Patent number: 7898106
    Abstract: A direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) configured as an intrinsic power transfer switch is provided. The DC UPS includes first and second inputs. First and second rectifiers are coupled to the first and second inputs. A common node is coupled to the first and second rectifiers. At least one DC output is coupled to the common node. The at least one DC output is adapted for connection to at least one electrical load. The first input is adapted for connection to a first electrical service, and the second input is adapted for connection to a second electrical service. The DC UPS continues to supply power to the at least one electrical load in the event of a loss of either the first or second electrical services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Mark Groff, Trung Le
  • System and method for throttling host throughput
    Patent number: 7895352
    Abstract: A method for throttling host throughput in a computer storage subsystem is provided. The host throughput is compared to a throughput limit for a predetermined time period. If the host throughput exceeds the throughput limit during the predetermined time period, an input/output (I/O) delay is set equal to the remainder of the predetermined time period, and the delay is implemented for an associated storage device of the computer storage subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Igor I. Ageyev, Gary Anna, Thomas W. Bish, Kimberly A. Bortz, Gregory T. Kishi, Joseph M. Swingler
  • Personalized financial transaction cards and methods
    Patent number: 7891122
    Abstract: A gift card assembly includes a backing, a gift card and a sticker group. The gift card is formed separately from and supported by the backing. The gift card defines an activation feature configured to facilitate loading the gift card with monetary value. The sticker group is formed separately from and supported by the backing. Other method and product embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy Lauer, John Mayhew
  • Memory preserved cache failsafe reboot mechanism
    Patent number: 7895465
    Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for preserving data in a storage subsystem having dual cache and dual nonvolatile storage (NVS) through a failover from a failed cluster to a surviving cluster, the surviving cluster undergoing a rebooting process, is provided. A memory preserved indicator associated with a cache of the surviving cluster is detected. The memory preserved indicator designates marked tracks having an image in an NVS of the failed cluster to be preserved through the rebooting process. A counter in a data structure of the surviving cache is incremented. If a value of the counter exceeds a predetermined value, a cache memory is initialized, and the marked tracks are removed from the cache to prevent an instance of repetitive reboots caused by a corrupted structure in the cache memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin John Ash, Michael Thomas Benhase, Lokesh Mohan Gupta, Alfred Emilio Sanchez, Kenneth Wayne Todd
  • Transaction product with separable pieces
    Patent number: 7883004
    Abstract: A transaction product includes a substrate and an account identifier. The substrate defines a plurality of pieces separable from a remainder of the substrate. Following separation of the plurality of pieces from the remainder of the substrate, the plurality of pieces are configured to be assembled with one another to define a three-dimensional object. The account identifier is attached to the substrate and links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted C. Halbur, Adam W. Reynolds, Julie E. Hoppner
  • Low-overhead storage cluster configuration locking
    Patent number: 7885946
    Abstract: A storage control apparatus, in communication with a cluster of storage devices in a storage network having plural administrator systems, comprises a cluster lock requester component, a cluster lock receiver component and a configuration component, wherein, responsive to receipt of a cluster lock by said cluster lock receiver component, the configuration component is operable to configure a logical resource object within said cluster. The apparatus may also include a cluster lock granter component operable to grant a cluster lock to the cluster lock receiver component responsive to said cluster lock requester component. A method of operating a storage control apparatus includes method steps corresponding to functional components of an apparatus and may be embodied in computer program codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David John Carr, Michael John Jones, Robert Bruce Nicholson, William James Scales, Barry Douglas Whyte
  • System, method, and circuit for retrieving data in data blocks into a cache memory from a mass data storage device based on a triggering event
    Patent number: 7877546
    Abstract: Upon receiving a request for one or a set of data blocks associated with a given data segment, a disk cache controller may retrieve into cache the some part of the entire data segment from a disk. Each data segment on a disk may include a fixed number of data blocks, and all data segments may include the same number of data blocks. Data segments may be dynamically defined and their locations and sizes may vary from segment to segment. Data segments may be defined when data is written to the disk, or may be defined at a later point. A table associated with a cache controller may store information as to the physical location or address on a disk of the starting point and/or size of each data segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ofir Zohar, Yaron Revah, Haim Helman, Dror Cohen, Shemer Schwartz
  • Method, system and circuit for efficiently managing a cache storage device
    Patent number: 7877547
    Abstract: A system, method and circuit for efficiently managing a cache storage device. A cache storage device may include a cache management module. The cache management module may be adapted to generate a management unit and to associate the management unit with new data that is to be written into the cache. The cache management module may be further adapted to assign two or more allocation units for each management unit, to store the new data in the cache. A cache management module may include a management unit module. The management unit module may be adapted to generate management units associated with predefined global cache management functions. The cache management module may further include an allocation unit module in communication with the management unit module. The allocation unit module may be adapted to assign allocation units for storing data written into the cache.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ofir Zohar, Yaron Revah, Haim Helman, Dror Cohen, Shemer Schwartz
  • Method and system for copying the data contents of a computer system memory during application program run-time
    Patent number: 7877561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of copying and updating data in a processor memory during program run-time without suspending the program's access to its data in the memory during the data-copying and updating processes. In one aspect, the invention concerns a method of copying data from processor memory to a dump memory during run-time, including determining whether data in a segment of the processor memory is to be updated by a program and copying the data to a corresponding segment in the dump memory prior to the data being updated. According to one embodiment, a data-copying instance is utilized to obtain a point-in-time image of a data content of processor memory while the program is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Huw Francis, Colin R. Jewell, Simon Walsh
  • Autonomous diagnosis and repair of storage components
    Patent number: 7877635
    Abstract: A method for the autonomous diagnosis and repair of user-configured storage subsystem components in a storage environment is provided. The method includes monitoring the user-configured storage subsystem components to identify an error associated with a first component of the user-configured storage subsystem components, the error corresponding to an error code, cross referencing the error code against a severity matrix, querying a depot for a fix code, and downloading and applying the fix code if the first component is configured, according to the severity matrix, to be autonomously repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron S. Palazzolo, Noah J. Sellars
  • Display hanger
    Patent number: D631732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Krawczak, Alex Tetiyevsky, Keith C. Cedro
  • Storage unit
    Patent number: D632892
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Zalewski, David Foster, Dirk Ahlgrim, Jared Judson, Monica Kuznik, Samuel Palmer, Gretchen Wustrack
  • Watering can
    Patent number: D634400
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth Tremblay, Becca Jane Koehler, Chad Michael Bogdan
  • Supporting base
    Patent number: D634567
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Zalewski