Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Smith

Bruce J. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20240125927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Henry A. DAVIS, David M. SMITH, David J. SPECHT, Viet Nam LE, Lang J. MCHARDY, Joseph James DIGIOVANNI, II, Nathan W. OSBORN, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Patent number: 10394463
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of managing a plurality of storage devices having a lifetime of a finite number of operations. An average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time is calculated. For each one of the plurality of storage devices an estimated date when a finite number of operations will be reached is calculated. For each date, a variable related to the number of storage devices reaching said finite number of operations within a predetermined period of said date is set. For one or more variables having a value larger than average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time, an action is carried out to reduce the number of storage devices reaching said lifetime per first unit of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Jonathan M. Parkes, Nolan Rogers, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9940067
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20170255400
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of managing a plurality of storage devices having a lifetime of a finite number of operations. An average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time is calculated. For each one of the plurality of storage devices an estimated date when a finite number of operations will be reached is calculated. For each date, a variable related to the number of storage devices reaching said finite number of operations within a predetermined period of said date is set. For one or more variables having a value larger than average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time, an action is carried out to reduce the number of storage devices reaching said lifetime per first unit of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Jonathan M. Parkes, Nolan Rogers, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9710175
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of managing a plurality of storage devices having a lifetime of a finite number of operations. An average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time is calculated. For each one of the plurality of storage devices an estimated date when a finite number of operations will be reached is calculated. For each date, a variable related to the number of storage devices reaching said finite number of operations within a predetermined period of said date is set. For one or more variables having a value larger than a value calculated using the date and said average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime within the predetermined period of said first unit of time, an action is carried out to reduce the number of storage devices reaching said lifetime per first unit of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Jonathan M. Parkes, Nolan Rogers, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160357444
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 9448891
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160085459
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems of managing a plurality of storage devices having a lifetime of a finite number of operations. An average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime of a finite number of operations per first unit time is calculated. For each one of the plurality of storage devices an estimated date when a finite number of operations will be reached is calculated. For each date, a variable related to the number of storage devices reaching said finite number of operations within a predetermined period of said date is set. For one or more variables having a value larger than a value calculated using the date and said average number of storage devices reaching said lifetime within the predetermined period of said first unit of time, an action is carried out to reduce the number of storage devices reaching said lifetime per first unit of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Jonathan M. Parkes, Nolan Rogers, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20150033069
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8904127
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8904130
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8793352
    Abstract: For storage area network configuration across redundant fabrics, a set of redundant fabrics is defined. A fabric is a network between devices of a storage area network. A first fabric communicates with the other fabrics in a set of redundant fabrics to send configuration information. Each redundant fabric examines the first fabric's configuration information for devices to which the redundant fabric is also connected and resolves ports for devices to which the first fabric and the redundant fabric are connected to provide ports on the redundant fabric equivalent to the ports on the first fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Iain A. Bethune, Gordon D. Hutchison, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8725972
    Abstract: Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy Raw, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8560787
    Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy Raw, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8560790
    Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy Raw, Bruce J. Smith
  • Patent number: 8352866
    Abstract: A mechanism is provided for adapting a network topology, in which the network topology comprises a plurality of points, a plurality of connections, each connection connecting a pair of points, and a zoneset comprising a plurality of zones, each zone defining a series of points that are connected. The mechanism performs operations of receiving one or more user inputs, each user input comprising a change to a zone, performing an analysis of the or each user input, to determine one or more consistent universal changes to the zoneset, presenting an output to the user comprising one or more of the determined consistent universal changes to the zoneset, receiving a selection user input selecting a presented consistent universal change to the zoneset, and changing the zoneset according to the selected consistent universal change to the zoneset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Iain A. Bethune, Gordon D. Hutchison, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130007392
    Abstract: Various method, system, and computer program product embodiments for performing a backup of a source storage volume to a target storage volume are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a flashcopy of the source storage volume to the target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gordon D. HUTCHISON, Cameron J. McALLISTER, Lucy RAW, Bruce J. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20120278559
    Abstract: A method of performing a data write on a storage device comprises instructing a device driver for the device to perform a write to the storage device, registering the device driver as a transaction participant with a transaction co-ordinator, executing a flashcopy of the storage device, performing the write on the storage device, and performing a two-phase commit between device driver and transaction co-ordinator. Preferably, the method comprises receiving an instruction to perform a rollback, and reversing the data write according to the flashcopy. In a further refinement, a method of scheduling a flashcopy of a storage device comprises receiving an instruction to perform a flashcopy, ascertaining the current transaction in relation to the device, registering the device driver for the device as a transaction participant in the current transaction with a transaction co-ordinator, receiving a transaction complete indication from the co-ordinator, and executing the flashcopy for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gordon D. Hutchison, Cameron J. McAllister, Lucy A. Harris, Bruce J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120254378
    Abstract: For storage area network configuration across redundant fabrics, a set of redundant fabrics is defined. A fabric is a network between devices of a storage area network. A first fabric communicates with the other fabrics in a set of redundant fabrics to send configuration information. Each redundant fabric examines the first fabric's configuration information for devices to which the redundant fabric is also connected and resolves ports for devices to which the first fabric and the redundant fabric are connected to provide ports on the redundant fabric equivalent to the ports on the first fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Iain A. BETHUNE, Gordon D. HUTCHISON, Bruce J. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20120221816
    Abstract: A flashcopy of a source storage volume to a target storage volume is initiated. The content of the source storage volume is stored on the target storage volume in a space efficient manner. The space requirement of the stored content on the target storage volume is monitored. The flashcopy is terminated when the space requirement reaches a predetermined level. The stored content on the target storage volume is copied to a backup storage medium. A new flashcopy of the source storage volume is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gordon D. HUTCHISON, Cameron J. McALLISTER, Lucy RAW, Bruce J. SMITH