Patents Examined by Cheryl Lewil
  • Technique for creating a unique item identification number in a multi-threaded/multi-process environment
    Patent number: 6381629
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for generating an item identification number within a computer. An item identification number is associated with an item stored in a database connected to the computer. In accordance with the present invention, a unique seed value is created, wherein the unique seed value comprises a computer-dependent timestamp and one or more unique identifiers. A unique item identification number is produced by inputting the unique seed value into a random number generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas S. Lee