Patents by Inventor Ann M. Shepherd

Ann M. Shepherd 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: 5625821
    Abstract: A computer operating system manages events defined by an application program or another part of the operating system. Each event definition includes one or more attributes of the event which controls some operating system responses to an occurrence of the event. After an occurrence of a defined event, an application program or another part of the operating system signals an event manager. The event manager reads the corresponding event definition to determine a mode of operating the signaller of the event or a process associated with the event signaller. The operating modes include a synchronous mode whereby the event signaller or the associated process should suspend processing until the event is handled, and an asynchronous mode whereby the event signaller or associated processor can continue processing while the event is being handled. After reading the event definition, the event manager advises the event signaller whether to proceed synchronously or asynchonously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Record, Ann M. Shepherd, Steven S. Shultz
  • Patent number: 5530868
    Abstract: A computer operating system manages events of interest to a plurality of event handlers within respective programs. The event handlers are arranged in a sequence for the purpose of receiving sequential notification of an occurrence of the event. When the event occurs, the first event handler in the sequence is notified, and it then handles the event. Then, the first event handler determines if the second event handler in the sequence should be notified of the event. If so, the second event handler in the sequence receives the event notification, handles the event, and then determines if the third event handler in the sequence should be notified. In this manner, the event notification can be propagated from event handler to event handler in the sequence, but any event handler in the sequence which receives the notification can block subsequent propagation of the event notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Record, Ann M. Shepherd, Steven S. Shultz
  • Patent number: 5355484
    Abstract: A computer operating system manages events. An application program or another part of the operating system defines an event monitor to monitor one or more types of events on its behalf. When each of the monitored events occurs, the event monitor is signalled and stores the event signal. Under certain conditions, the event monitor can notify an event handler, and the event handler can access the stored event signals. The event monitor can be defined and established dynamically, i.e. throughout operation of the computer without stopping or relinking the computer system. In the absence of an event monitor which is interested in an event, signals of the event are nevertheless stored. When an interested event monitor is subsequently established, the previously stored event signals are transferred to the interested event monitor. Thus, the event handler has the benefit of previous event signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Record, Ann M. Shepherd, Steven S. Shultz
  • Patent number: 5237684
    Abstract: A computer operating system manages different types of events. An application program or another part of the operating system defines an event monitor to monitor one or more types of events. The definition also specifies a combination of occurrences of the one or more types of events required to satisfy the event monitor. When each of the monitored events occurs, the event monitor is signalled and stores the event signal. When the event monitor has stored signals which satisfy the event monitor, the event monitor can notify an event handler (pursuant to a standing or subsequent inquiry by the event handler). Then, the event handler can access the stored event signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen E. Record, Ann M. Shepherd, Steven S. Shultz